Gardner s Theory of Intelligence. By: Jennifer Yellowbird. Turtle Mountain Community College

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1 Gardner s Theory of Intelligence By: Jennifer Yellowbird Turtle Mountain Community College

2 Madeline walked into her house on a cold, winter night. She step in the from the dark and registered the bright colors of her living room, she smelled the pot roast she put in the slowcooker this morning, and her kids come running to ask if they could spend the night at grandma s this weekend. Madeline stood there, in her entryway, grateful that this is the life she had built for herself. Theorist say thoughts, such as these, and ability to comprehend what s around us is what separates us from the animals. More specifically, Charles Gardner s theory of multiple intelligences states that there are eight, possibly nine, different intelligences that work to form our everyday thoughts and abilities. These intelligences are logical-mathematical, linguistic, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist, and existential. Logical-mathematical intelligence is how Madeline decided it would be a good idea to put the pot roast on in the morning. She was able to calculate in her mind how many hours it would take for the roast, and all its fixings, to be finished. Gardner suggests logical-mathematical intelligence is having the sensitivity to, and capacity to discern, logical or numerical patterns; ability to handle long chains of reasoning. (Woolfolk, 2012) Individuals who are able to excel in this area make good scientists and mathematicians. Child and Adolescent Development states that linguistic intelligence is sensitivity to the sounds, rhymes, and meanings of words; sensitivity to the different functions of language. (Woolfolk, 2012) This intelligence enables us to be verbal. Madeline, unbeknownst to her, used this skill when her kids were asking to camp with Grandma. People who are linguistically gifted are often poets or journalists. Musical intelligence is defined as having abilities to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch, and timbre; appreciation of the forms of musical expressiveness. (Woolfolk, 2012) While most people enjoy music, not all show an abundance of talent in this area. Musicians are

3 individuals who show great musical intelligence. Music teachers might also have an above average musical intelligence, since they are able to teach others how to play instruments and songs. Madeline walked in from the darkness and looked at the bright colors of her living room. Madeline was using spatial intelligence when she decorated her living room in visually pleasing colors. Spatial intelligence is having capacities to perceive the visual-spatial world accurately and to perform transformation on one s initial perceptions. (Woolfolk, 2012) Artists are thought to have an increased spatial intelligence. Something as simple as Madeline walking into her house would be her using her bodilykinesthetic intelligence. The kinesthetic intelligent are defined as having abilities to control one s body movements and to handle object skillfully. (Woolfolk, 2012) For example, dancers and athletes are masters of their own bodies. Child and Adolescent Development states people who have interpersonal intelligence have the ability to understand people and what they are going through. These people make good therapists and educators. Interpersonal intelligence is having the Capacities to discern and respond appropriately to the moods, temperaments, motivations, and desires of other people. (Woolfolk, 2012) Intrapersonal intelligence is how one recognizes and understands his/her own needs and wants, then uses that knowledge to guide themselves in their lives. Almost anyone would be able to use this intelligence. This is a skill necessary for one to prosper in their lives and occupations. Farmers and hunters are known to be individuals who have a keen awareness of their own naturalist intelligence. According to Child and Adolescent Development, naturalists have

4 abilities to recognize plants and animals, to make distinctions in the natural world, to understand systems and define categories. (Woolfolk, 2012) One might also say that a person who displays natural intelligence could excel in many of the other intelligences. The final possible intelligence is existential intelligence. This is our capability to see the world for as large as it is. This is what makes us wonder what our lives are really supposed to mean. These people might be philosophers, priests, or scientists. These are the eight, possible nine, multiple intelligences according to Howard Gardner. While these are the intelligences that he believes in, he also thinks that there could be more. Gardner thinks that people specialize in one area, they also use all other intelligences in their lives. Also, he thinks people who used particular intelligences lead certain time periods, such as the industrial revolution.

5 References Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. (2016, March 10). Retrieved from Northern Illinios University: telligences.pdf Woolfolk, A. (2012). Child and Adolescent Development. Upper Saddle RIver: Pearson.

Multiple Intelligences. Billie Goodsite. EDTL 611: Curriculum. November 25, 2007

Multiple Intelligences. Billie Goodsite. EDTL 611: Curriculum. November 25, 2007 Multiple Intelligences Billie Goodsite EDTL 611: Curriculum November 25, 2007 Abstract Multiple intelligences theory was introduced by Howard Gardner in the 1980s. He argued that intelligence is more than