0.4 Multiple intelligences

Overview

Is intelligence innate? Genetic? Fixed?

Generally, this is how intelligence has been viewed - as a quantity. Recently, new views have emerged with enormous implicationsfor education. This new perspective asserts that intelligence can be measured in different ways, that it grows, and it is more quality thanquantity. It used to be that the question was asked: "Is s/he smart?" New questions now ask: " How is s/he smart?" The emphasis is on the various ways in which we demonstrate multiple intelligences, rather than a singleintelligence. The readings and assignments that follow discuss multiple intelligences, provide an opportunity for you to apply them, and a way ofdetermining how to assess students.

Howard Gardner created a list of seven intelligences. The first two are ones that have been typically valued in schools; the nextthree are usually associated with the arts; and the final two are what Howard Gardner called "personal intelligences."

Linguistic intelligence involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity touse language to accomplish certain goals. This intelligence includes the ability to effectively use language to express oneself rhetorically orpoetically, and language as a means to remembering information. Writers, poets, lawyers, and speakers are among those that Howard Gardner sees ashaving high linguistic intelligence.

Logical-mathematical intelligence consists of the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematicaloperations, and investigate issues scientifically. In Howard Gardner's words, it entails the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively, andthink logically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking.

Musical intelligence involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses thecapacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. According to Howard Gardner musical intelligence runs in an almoststructural parallel to linguistic intelligence.

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence entails the potential of using one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is theability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements. Howard Gardner sees mental and physical activity as related.

Spatial intelligence involves the potential to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas.

Interpersonal intelligence is concerned with the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations, and desires of other people. Itallows people to work effectively with others. Educators, salespeople, religious and political leaders and counselors all need a well-developedinterpersonal intelligence.

Intrapersonal intelligence entails the capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations.In Howard Gardner's view it involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives.