Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, proposed in 1983, challenges the traditional view that intelligence is a single, general ability. Instead, Gardner suggests that human intelligence is diverse and multi-dimensional, comprising several distinct types, each reflecting different ways of interacting with the world. According to Gardner, the eight primary intelligences are:

1. Linguistic Intelligence: The ability to use language effectively, whether in speaking, writing, or understanding. People with high linguistic intelligence are often skilled at reading, writing, storytelling, and memorizing information.

2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: The capacity for inductive and deductive reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding complex concepts. Those with this intelligence are typically good at scientific thinking and mathematical operations.

3. Spatial Intelligence: The ability to think in three dimensions, essential for tasks that require visualizing and manipulating objects. It is prevalent in fields such as art, architecture, and engineering.

4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The aptitude for using one's body skillfully and expressively. This intelligence is crucial for athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople who rely on fine motor skills and coordination.

5. Musical Intelligence: The sensitivity to rhythm, melody, and sound. Individuals with high musical intelligence are often good at playing instruments, recognizing tones, and composing music.

6. Interpersonal Intelligence: The skill to understand and interact effectively with others. It involves empathy, communication, and the ability to work well with people, which is valuable in roles involving teamwork or leadership.

7. Intrapersonal Intelligence: The capacity for self-awareness and understanding one's own emotions, motivations, and inner states. It enables introspection and self-reflection, contributing to personal growth and self-regulation.

8. Naturalistic Intelligence: The ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals, and other elements of nature. People with this intelligence are often skilled in fields such as biology, ecology, and zoology.

Gardner later suggested a possible ninth intelligence, Existential Intelligence, which involves grappling with big questions about life, death, and existence.

Gardner's theory has had a significant impact on education and psychology, emphasizing that individuals have unique blends of intelligences and that traditional measures of intelligence, like IQ tests, may not fully capture a person's capabilities or potential.

1. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence 

Perhaps the most obvious of the nine types of intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence refers to someone’s ability to solve mathematical problems, spot trends and patterns, and understand relationships. If someone possesses logical-mathematical intelligence it means that order and sequencing feature greatly in their thinking process and they can think conceptually and abstractly. 

You have high logical-mathematical intelligence if: 

• You’re good with numbers and confident taking on tasks that involve quantifying things, such as math and arithmetic questions 
• You enjoy performing experiments and conducting your own investigations 
• You enjoy playing logic and strategy games 
• You enjoy solving puzzles and unravelling mysteries 
• Your curiosity drives you to ask cosmic or deep questions 
• Great careers for people with logical-mathematical intelligence include mathematician, economist, auditor, accountant, scientist, tactician, computer analyst and technician
  

2. Linguistic Intelligence 

• You’re comfortable both speaking and writing, using words to achieve objectives such as persuasion 
• You have a broad vocabulary and understand when and how to use certain words 
• You enjoy reading and writing 
• You enjoy playing word games 
• You have an easy grasp of other languages or dialects, fluency is not required 
• Great careers for people with linguistic intelligence include public speaker, librarian, politician, radio announcer, TV host, YouTuber, journalist, lawyer, curator, speech pathologist, writer or sales

3. Interpersonal Intelligence 

Interpersonal intelligence or emotional intelligence refers to the link between intelligence and emotions. Someone with interpersonal intelligence is good at sensing other people’s emotions and reading their motives, this can be linked to both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. 
 
You have high interpersonal intelligence if: 

• You’re good at identifying distinctions and differences among a group of people 
• You have a wide circle of friends and are comfortable meeting new people 
• You are good at sensing people’s mood 
• You possess the ability to look at things from different perspectives, understanding other people’s point of view 
• Great careers for people with interpersonal intelligence include human resources, counsellor, management, psychologist, public relations, social director, teacher or social worker

 4. Intrapersonal Intelligence 

• You’re self-motivated and can put yourself first when necessary 
• You’re strong-willed and independent 
• You’re aware of, and take action based on how you’re feeling 
• You enjoy taking time to yourself for self-reflection 
• Great careers for people with this type of intelligence include psychologist, writer, therapist, counsellor, social worker, theologian, entrepreneur or poet

5. Musical Intelligence 

Musical intelligence is the most self-explanatory of the nine types of intelligence, it refers to someone’s ability to sense rhythm and sound and use this to create music. 
 
You have a high level of musical intelligence if: 

• You can break the pitch, rhythm, tone and timbre of sounds easily 
• You recognise, create or reflect on music, and love doing so 
• You are comfortable with music playing in the background while you do other things 
• You are highly sensitive to sounds, hearing what others miss 
• Great careers for people with musical intelligence include conductor, musician, piano teacher, composer, dance teacher, music therapist or choral director

6. Visual-Spatial Intelligence 

Visual-spatial intelligence refers to people’s ability to view or visualise the world in its three dimensions. When discussing visualising the world in 3D, it involves the following capabilities: 
 
Mental imagery – being able to draw up an image or picture without an external stimulus, drawing from memories or previous experience. In other words, the detail of someone’s imagination. 
 
Spatial reasoning – being able to think about objects in 3D and draw generalisations despite having limited information. Mention a pyramid, and people with visual-spatial intelligence will be able to visualise how that pyramid will look from the front or the top. 
 
Image manipulation – being able to visualise changes to an image before they have been implemented. For example, an artist visualising how their picture will look before they have drawn it. 
 
Artistic skills – being able to create artwork, this also includes graphic skills. 
 
Visual-spatial intelligence and creativity work hand-in-hand, drawing on an active imagination to produce impressive visual work. 
 
You have high visual-spatial intelligence if: 

• You have a high awareness of your surrounding environment 
• You have a good sense of direction 
• You enjoy playing jigsaw puzzles and games based around navigation 
• You daydream a lot 
• You enjoy being creative 
• Great careers for people with this type of intelligence include architect, geometry teacher, engineer, surveyor, urban planner, graphic artist, interior decorator, photographer, pilot or cartographer

7. Bodily-Kinaesthetic Intelligence 

Bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence refers to mind and body co-ordination and is very important in athletes. Athletic ability isn’t often referred to as intelligence, but kinaesthetic intelligence is measured on someone’s ability to use their physicality to manipulate objects and other elements around them. 
 
You have high bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence if: 

• You recognise your capabilities and physical limits 
• You can communicate well using body language, using gestures and actions to convey your message 
• You have no real issue with physical contact 
• You have a good sense of timing when it comes to physical tasks and activities 
• You can handle objects with a high degree of deftness, control and economy of movement 
• You like being creative with your hands 

Extra-curricular and sports activities are a fantastic way of improving your bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence. These activities not only provide a space to develop practical sport skills, but also develop important social skills and generally boost academic performance. 

Great careers for people with bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence include physical therapist, dancer, athlete, coach, fitness instructor, gym owner, actor, mechanic or carpenter.

8. Naturalist Intelligence 

Naturalist intelligence refers to the ability to read and understand nature. Having sensitivity to the non-living elements of all living things is considered “nature smart”. 
 
You have high naturalist intelligence if: 

• You love nature and spending time outdoors 
• You connect easily with animals 
• You’re good at raising or taking care of animals and plants 
• Great careers for people with naturalist intelligence include botanist, oceanographer, camp counsellor, scout troop leader, gardener, astronomer, meteorologist, geologist or landscape architect

9. Existential Intelligence 

Existential intelligence refers to deep sensitivity and people’s ability to handle deep questions such as the meaning of existence, it’s one of the most complex of the nine types of intelligence listed in Gardner’s research. People with existential intelligence are not only comfortable talking about these serious questions but also strive to find the answer. 
 
You have high existential intelligence if: 

• You genuinely want to find answers to questions such as “what is the meaning of life?” or “what happens after death?” 
• You demonstrate high sensitivity on matters related to human existence 
• Great careers for people with existential intelligence include inspirational speaker, writer, clergy, author, philosopher, economist or blogger.