Howard Gardner

Multiple Intelligences
Introduction to the Basic Theory
The theory of multiple intelligences was first offered to the educational community
by Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner (1983). Since it was first introduced this
theory has captured the attention of numerous researchers, authors, and educators.
Gardner (1983) proposed the notion that human beings have not just one type of
intelligence, but several. Gardner also described seven different types of
intelligence in his 1983 book. Later he added an eight intelligence, and has
suggested two others that are still being explored (Gardner, 1999). Gardners recent
definition of intelligence was a biopsychological potential to process information
that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that
are of value in a culture (Gardner, 1999). As such, it clearly involves processes that
are carried out by dedicated neural networks. He emphasized that in natural
behavior the intelligences operate together. Separating them for learning and
discussion is an artificial process.
Gardner (1999) developed eight criteria for classifying behavioral or learning
pattern as an intelligences as follow:
1. The potential of isolation by brain damage, as evidenced by individuals who
have experienced brain damage by accident or disease
2. An intelligence must have an evolutionary history and evolutionary
plausibility, such that it confers some survival value for those who possess it
3. An intelligence must have an identifiable core operation or set of operations
4. An intelligence can be encoded in a symbol system, such as language or
musical notation
5. An intelligence has developmental history in that individuals must go through
a process of maturing the intelligence until they can perform a set of expert
end-state performances
6. The existence of savants, prodigies, and other exceptional people with
special abilities
7. Support from experimental psychological tasks, such as transfer of skills to
new tasks, and interference among tasks help identify discrete intelligence
8. Support from psychometric findings have been used to support the existence
of multiple intelligence
Gardner (1999) made two fundamental claims about multiple intelligences
1) that the theory accounts for the full range of human cognition, and
2) each individual has a unique blend of the various intelligences that
contributes to his/her personal predilections and abilities.

Linguistic / Verbal Intelligence

Perceives and responds to voice tones, tempo, rhythm, and word sounds; imitates
language and other sounds such as bird song; learns through listening to spoken
word, reading, writing, and discussing; proficient in discussing and explaining in
written or spoken words, remembers conversations and lecture material; natural
command of the language including subtlety of word choice, pronunciation, and
semantics; learns languages easily.
Skills and Careers: Writer, speaker, teacher, negotiator, journalist, editor,
storytelling: poet; linguist, translator; computer programmer, debate

Logical / Mathematical Intelligence

Uses abstract symbols easily, good at logical problem solving; formulates and tests
hypotheses; uses diverse mathematical skills; enjoys complex operations such as
math, physics, or research methods; perceives patterns and relationships among
complex components; perceives functions of objects and cause and effect
relationships; creates models, hypotheses and theories to explain phenomena.
Skills and Careers: Science, math, engineering, computers, law, accounting,
debate, pharmacy, medicine

Visual Spatial Intelligence

Learns by watching, observing; recognizes shapes and colors and can reproduce
them through artwork; perceives three-dimensional space and his place in it
accurately; perceives and produces mental imagery, generates mental images for
memory and recall; learns from and encodes information in graphs, charts,
diagrams and other graphic or visual representations; enjoys doodling, drawing,
painting, designing, and other visual creative activities, easily constructs three
dimensional mental images and can move them in space, and can project future
configurations.
Skills and Career: Artist, designer, architect, decorator, photographer,
videographer, chess player, choreographer, computer graphics designer

Interpersonal Intelligence

Bonds and interacts easily with others, forming social relationships; relates to others
in a variety of ways; easily perceives the thoughts, feelings, motivations, and
behaviors of others; interest in diverse lifestyles of others, participates in team and
collaborative efforts easily, has ability to influence opinions and actions of others; a
natural leader; easily adapts to new social and physical environments; responds
well to feedback from others, effective communicator
Skills and Careers: Teaching, social work, counseling, management, nursing,
politics, sales, entrepreneur, parenting

Intrapersonal Intelligence
Aware of his range of emotions, and finds appropriate expression and outlets for
them, has a strong personal ethics code; aware of beliefs and values that motivate
him; sets goals and works toward them; works independently; curious about deeper
questions in life including meaning, relevance, and purpose; manages his own
ongoing learning and personal growth; seeks understanding of his inner
experiences; strives for self-actualization; has insights into the complexities of
himself and others; naturally empowers others and encourages them to
introspection and self-understanding.
Skills and Careers: Self-starter, student, psychology, theology; spiritual advisor;
writer