Today I’ll introduce you to the theory of multiple intelligences.
You’ve probably already heard someone say that someone is intelligent, which, if we think about it for a minute, implies that some people aren’t.
But what if there were different types of intelligence? We are all different from each other, aren’t we? So it would make sense that there would be different types of intelligence, don’t you think? But how can we recognize them?
To understand, let me first tell you how we came to believe that there are only two types of intelligence.
Multiple Intelligences: the infamous IQ tests
In 1905, the French government hired a pedagogue and psychologist called Alfred Binet. They asked him to create a system that would assess children’s intelligence development and their chances of success or failure in elementary school.
You only got two shots
After studying them using a wide range of indicators, our dear Alfred finally decided to keep only the most discriminating ones. What does “discriminating indicators” mean here? Well, to sum it up, it means that Alfred based his whole system on only TWO poor parameters.
Imagine you wanted to compile a list of the most intelligent animals on Earth. Now imagine you decided that only those who can fly or run at more than 40 mph could pass the test to make it on your list. It would mean that according to your test, all the fish in the world, all the cats, dogs, elephants, goats, bears, wolves, dolphins, you name it, are stupid and useless. Are you starting to see the problem here?
And this is how the intelligence quotient tests were born: the famous IQ tests.
Based solely on two types of intelligence (logical-mathematical and linguistic), they would soon ruin the childhood, life and self-confidence of millions of people around the world.
Alfred Binet died in 1911 of brain congestion, and it does not surprise me.
Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Fortunately, in 1983, Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist – and undercover vampire (this is just between you and me) –reminded the world that the brain and intelligence are no such simple things. In short, that mankind is not composed of a majority of idiots just because most of them had poor grades in math or linguistics in school or had “failed” one of those famous IQ tests.
He explained that there is not one, not even two, but 8 types of intelligence. To learn how he came to this conclusion, read his book “Frames of mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences“. It’s fascinating.
What matters to me today is to introduce you to the different types of intelligence so that you can identify the one that is predominant in you.
Even though one type of intelligence is predominant in each of us, we all possess a unique combination of intelligences. This does not mean that we cannot work on other types of intelligence. With work, one can do anything! It just means that we all learn more easily and faster in certain areas and in different ways.
What is your type of intelligence?
Find your own type(s) of intelligence. This way, you will probably come to realize, as I did, that you are not worthless and destined to fail just because some classes or subjects don’t seem to want to make it into your head.
• logical-mathematical intelligence
• verbal-linguistic intelligence
• bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
• visual-spatial intelligence
• interpersonal intelligence
• intrapersonal intelligence
• musical-rhythmic and harmonic intelligence
• naturalistic intelligence
• a ninth intelligence: existential intelligence
Logical-Mathematical
Description
Rats and ravens, two of my favorite animals, possess the intelligence called logical-mathematical.
Humans – and animals – born with this kind of intelligence possess scientific and logical thinking. They have intellectual capacities of deduction and observation, are gifted in solving problems, logical or abstract, analyzing and making complex hypotheses, and manipulating numbers…
As a kid
Children with logical-mathematical intelligence ask a lot of questions about why and how things work. They like computers, puzzles, chess, logic games, classifying and categorizing objects.
For better learning
They thrive in a traditional school environment. They learn best when they learn step by step, when they can verbalize their logic and reasoning, and ask questions.
As a grown-up
They can become, among other things: good scientists, mathematicians, researchers, businesspersons, doctors, computer scientists, statisticians…*
It is one of the two only types of intelligence valued by the Western school system.
Verbal-Linguistic
The second intelligence that is valued by the Western school system.
Description
Like my friends the dolphins, humans born with linguistic intelligence love to communicate and express themselves. They have a strong sense of words and are very attached to oral and written language.
As a kid
Children with verbal intelligence like to read and write, tell and write stories, poems… They express themselves well orally or in writing; they like to play with words.
For better learning
They learn well through writing. They memorize their lessons very well when transformed into tales or stories, and with puns or mnemonics. Rewriting notes, rephrasing things in their own words, reading aloud, reading about the subject… all are means that help them learn.
As a grown-up
They can become, among other things, good writers, translators, interpreters, poets, lawyers, speakers, politicians, journalists, editors, proofreaders, tour guides, lecturers…*
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Description
Many people possess, like bats, the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
They have excellent coordination, perfect control of their body movements, and increased awareness of sensations. They excel at anything that requires precise motor skills.
As a kid
Children with the kinesthetic intelligence have a great need to move, are skilled with their hands, and often enjoy sports or dancing.
For better learning
To learn, anything that allows them to use their body is beneficial. Mimicking a poem, transforming a historical fact into theater or role-playing, manipulating balls or pebbles for arithmetic, reviewing their lessons while doing a manual activity (drawing, coloring, throwing and catching a ball…) They need to be able to change position and move around while studying.
As a grown-up
They can become, among other things, good dancers, athletes, surgeons, craftspersons, cabinetmakers, sculptors, carpenters, actors…*
Visual-Spatial
Description
Like pigeons and migratory birds, people born with visual-spatial intelligence possess great mental powers of visualization. They see the world differently and are skilled at getting their bearings, reading a map, navigating. They are very imaginative.
As a kid
Children with spatial intelligence have a highly developed imagination. They like visual arts (drawing, photography, sculpture…), inventing and building things, organizing the space they’re in, and objects too.
For better learning
They have an easier time learning if they can visualize things through drawings, diagrams, graphs, videos, or by using their imagination. Visually clear lessons with colorful titles, shapes, graphic symbols and illustrations really help them.
As a grown-up
They can become, among other things, good architects, carpenters, urban planners, interior designers, sculptors, painters, photographers, stylists, cartographers, pilots, mechanical engineers, chess players, camera operators…*
Interpersonal
Description
Dogs and wolves have interpersonal intelligence in common with some humans.
Very attentive to others, good listeners, people who possess it have great social intelligence. Empathetic, tolerant, cooperative, intuitive, they have a talent for understanding others, analyzing them, grasping their mood, temperament, motivations, intentions, desires… They like to communicate, exchange, and work with others, resolve conflicts and find ways to help people.
As a kid
Children with interpersonal intelligence are naturally outgoing, enjoy being part of a group and talking to people.
For better learning
To learn, they are more at ease with group activities, interactive question-and-answer games. They will enjoy doing homework close to their parents or studying with a friend.
As a grown-up
They can become, among other things, good teachers, therapists, leaders, politicians, social workers, storekeepers, managers, lawyers, coaches…*
Intrapersonal
Description
People who possess intrapersonal intelligence have a tendency to introspection. They love solitude; they know how to identify their desires, strengths and limitations, how to analyze their thoughts, behaviors and reactions, and identify their own emotions and feelings. They have great self-control and self-discipline. They put in the work to achieve their goals.
As a kid
Children with intrapersonal intelligence are like cats. They are solitary, know how to be on their own and take care of themselves, and always fall back on their feet.
For better learning
Since they can assess their own needs, they concentrate better alone and do not like to be disturbed. They need to work in a space that belongs to them and where they feel comfortable. They work better independently than in a team and will thrive with solo activities, with exercises that they can do alone and at their own pace.
As a grown-up
They can become, among other things, good psychologists, psychiatrists, writers, specialized educators, actors, artists, athletes, librarians, dancers, poets, graphic designers, computer scientists, photographers, translators, profilers…*
Musical-Rhythmic and Harmonic
Description
The easiest one to explain. Like most birds, people with musical intelligence are sensitive to music and rhythm, know how to recognize, reproduce and create melodies.
As a kid
Children with this type of intelligence like to sing, dance, tap their foot, listen to and play music.
For better learning
Learning, studying, and working with music in the background helps them to focus. Turning lessons into rhymes, songs, sounds and using rhythm can be useful tools.
As a grown-up
They can become, among other things, good musicians, composers, singers, dancers, choreographers, sound engineers, music therapists, music journalists…*
Naturalistic
Description
Like me, Zabeth, people with naturalistic intelligence are deeply connected to nature and spend a lot of time observing and studying it. They love animals, plants, sometimes even minerals.
As a kid
Children with naturalistic intelligence are sensitive to living things and are concerned about the environment. They have a strong capacity for observation, are very attentive to details, like to spend time outdoors, and study the animal, plant, or mineral world. They like to sort and organize the information collected.
For better learning
They learn more easily when you make connections between their lessons and nature. Spending time outdoors to learn from nature inspires them. Working in a natural environment (outdoors, by a window) where they can sort and organize the information they have collected will be very beneficial.
As a grown-up
They can become, among other things, good veterinarians, zoologists, botanists, archaeologists, environmental scientists, biologists, oceanographers, farmers, bibliographers, groomers, géologues, canine educators…*
* non-exhaustive list
Long live our differences
And now, let’s thank mother nature for creating us so different from one another.
Thanks to her, the world is filled with musicians, doctors, farmers, painters, dancers, computer scientists, psychologists, builders, gardeners, cooks, lawyers, carpenters, actors, historians, zoologists, social workers… and thousands of other professionals who make the world a rich and beautiful place. Or at least, way more beautiful than if we all referred to IQ tests and everybody wanted to become a politician or a trader.
Existential intelligence
Howard Gardner speaks of a ninth intelligence, or rather, as he says himself, an eighth and a half: existential intelligence. Why “and a half”? Because he does not consider it an intelligence in its own right, because it is complicated to identify. For this reason, I have left it aside, even though it obviously exists.
According to Gardner, people who possess existential or spiritual intelligence are concerned “with ultimate life issues”. They tend to question themselves about the meaning and origin of things, about life and death, the infinitely great and the infinitely small, the sense of ethics and justice.
Howard Gardner’s Ted Talk
Frames of Mind – Theory of Multiple Intelligences – Howard Gardner
Differentiated Instruction Strategies: Multiple Intelligences
Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk
The wonderful Ted Talk by author, speaker and education specialist Sir Ken Robinson. One of the most beautiful and important messages one can receive.
Sources
- Gardner, H. E. (2008). Les intelligences multiples – La théorie qui bouleverse nos idées reçues (Petit forum) (French Edition) (RETZ éd.). RETZ.
- Gardner, H. E. (2011). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences (3rd ed.). Basic Books.
- Massonnié, J. Que peut-on dire de l’idée « d’intelligences multiples » et de son application en classe? Fondation La Main à la Pâte. https://www.fondation-lamap.org/fr/page/56092/que-peut-on-dire-de-lidee-dintelligences-multiples-et-de-son-application-en-classe
- Gauvrit, N. (2016). Épisode #329 : Les intelligences multiples de Gardner (Nicolas Gauvrit). Scepticisme scientifique. https://www.scepticisme-scientifique.com/episode-329-les-intelligences-multiples-de-gardner-nicolas-gauvrit/
- Edutopia. (2010). Howard Gardner on Multiple Intelligences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYgO8jZTFuQ
- Faculti. (2015). Frames of Mind – Theory of Multiple Intelligences – Howard Gardner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1J2fzzYWic
- TEDx Talks. (2015). Beyond Wit and Grit: Rethinking the Keys to Success | Howard Gardner | TEDxBeaconStreet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfzrN2yMBaQ
Resources
Books about Multiple Intelligences
