The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. These intelligences are:
Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence:
This intelligence has to do with words - spoken or written.
People with high Linguistic Intelligence have good command over their words,
language and are expressive in nature. They are typically good at reading,
writing, telling stories and memorising dates and words.
People with high Linguistic Intelligence tend to learn through reading, taking
notes, listening lectures. They are good in discussion and debate. They are
good at explaining to others, teaching and delivering speeches.
Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
This intelligence has to do with logic, abstract, reasoning and numbers.
People with high Logical Mathematical Intelligence are generally
good in mathematics, chess, computer programming, puzzles and
other numerical activities.
People with high Logical Intelligence tend to be good in reasoning
capabilities, scientific thinking, complex calculation, investigation
and analysis.
Visual/Spatial Intelligence
This intelligence has to do with vision and spatial judgment.
People with high Visual spatial Intelligence are usually very good at visualizing and
mentally creating and manipulating the objects. They are inclined towards
artistic work and have good visual memory.
People with high Visual spatial Intelligence have good sense of directions. They are
also good at eye-hand coordination. High Visual Intelligence can make a
person preferred Visual Learner.
Kinaesthetic Intelligence
This intelligence has to do with body movement and physical activities.
People with high Kinaesthetic Intelligence are usually very good at body
movement, physical activities, dance, jogging, walking, swimming, sports etc.
People with high Kinesthetic Intelligence are good in building and making
things. They learn best by doing things rather than listening or reading things.
They are good at muscle memory too.
Interpersonal Intelligence
This intelligence has to do with understanding and interacting with others.
People with high Interpersonal Intelligence are usually extrovert and are
usually characterized by their sensitivity to other’s mood, feelings,
temperaments, motivation and their ability to cooperate and work as team
member.
They communicate easily with others and may be either leader or follower.
They typically learn best by working with others and often enjoy discussion
and debate.
Intrapersonal Intelligence
This intelligence has to do with understanding and interacting with self.
People with high Intrapersonal Intelligence are usually introvert and usually
prefer to work alone. They are highly self-aware and capable of understanding
their own mood, feelings, temperaments, motivation, strength and weakness.
They often have infinite thoughts based on philosophical approach.
They learn the best when allowed to concentrate on the subject themselves.
There is often high level of perfection associated with this intelligence.
Musical Intelligence
This intelligence has to do with rhythm, sound, hearing and music.
People with high Musical Intelligence display great sensitivity towards sound,
rhythm, tone and music. They usually have good pitch and are able to sing or
play musical instruments and compose music. They respond well towards
rhythmic pattern and can be easily distracted by sound.
There is a strong oral component in this intelligence, so those who are good in this
intelligence, can learn easily through a lecture mode. They may tune-in to
music while studying or doing some other work.
Naturalistic Intelligence
This intelligence has to do with understanding the natural world of plants and
animals, noticing their characteristics and behaviour.
People with high Naturalist Intelligence are generally good in observation.
They are environment centric and have great love for nature. They love greenery, river, mountains, beaches etc.
Dr. Gardner says that our SCHOOLS and culture focus most of their attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. We esteem the highly articulate or logical people of our culture. However, Dr. Gardner says that we should also place equal attention on individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists, architects, musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and others who enrich the world in which we live. Unfortunately, many children who have these gifts don’t receive much reinforcement for them in school. Many of these kids, in fact, end up being labeled “learning disabled,” “ADD (attention deficit disorder,” or simply underachievers, when their unique ways of thinking and learning aren’t addressed by a heavily linguistic or logical-mathematical classroom.
The theory of multiple intelligences also has strong implications for adult learning and development. Many adults find themselves in jobs that do not make optimal use of their most highly developed intelligences (for example, the highly bodily-kinaesthetic individual who is stuck in a linguistic or logical desk-job when he or she would be much happier in a job where they could move around, such as a recreational leader, a forest ranger, or physical therapist). The theory of multiple intelligences gives adults a whole new way to look at their lives, examining potentials that they left behind in their childhood (such as a love for art or drama) but now have the opportunity to develop through courses, hobbies, or other programs of self-development.
I’m one of the living examples: I’m an auditory learner. If someone explains me, I learn faster. If I’m given a document to read, it is so hard for me to read unless it matches my intelligence. My verbal intelligence and inter-personal intelligence is higher than other intelligence and now I’m a coach, type/talk a lot, authored a book, etc, etc..
I did my B.Sc.Mathematics in my UG college. 10 years later I did my M.A. in English Literature. So, it took me literally 10 years to realize my highest intelligence.
Imagine if I had known about my intelligence or if my parents had recognized my intelligence, I would have authored many books by now. Nevertheless I’m so grateful that I finally found my calling and my sincere gratitude to the universe that I’m able to make my own children’s life much easier, life of people around me much easier and especially the children of my school and many other children who are the future of the world much easier, so that they don’t have to run behind their dream later in their life, rather, they passionately develop their skills to achieve their dreams sooner in life to lead a happy, healthy, peaceful and a longer life with themselves and with the people around them (especially family, friends and relations) in this beautiful world.
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