Multiple intelligences
Proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983, the theory of multiple intelligences has revolutionized how we understand intelligence.
The theory of multiple intelligences differentiates human intelligence into specific 'modalities', rather than seeing intelligence as dominated by a single general ability.
About Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence
People with Linguistic intelligence love words. They enjoy reading and writing. Linguistic people are often gifted at learning languages. They appreciate the complexities of sentence structure, word structure, meaning and sound. They savor convoluted words and are quick at learning them. They possess rich vocabularies.
"A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language."
W. H. Auden
About Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
People with Logical intelligence process information through logic and reason. They are attracted to investigation by means of the scientific method. They do well with quantitative methods that rely on the researcher's ability to observe and reach a verifiable conclusion.
They dislike nebulous assumptions and subjective analysis. Instead, they trust hard facts and numerical data. They seek accuracy and precision in their learning and work. Their mind is complex and works like a computer. Logical Intelligence thrives on mathematical models, measurements, abstractions and complex calculations.
"A good designer must rely on experience, on precise, logic thinking; and on pedantic exactness. No magic will do."
Niklaus Wirth
About Visual/Spatial Intelligence
People with Visual/Spatial intelligence are very aware of their surroundings and are good at remembering images. They have a keen sense of direction and often enjoy maps. They have a sharp sense of space, distance and measurement.
"I think I understand something about space. I think the job of a sculptor is spatial as much as it is to do with form."
Anish Kapoor
About Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence
People with Kinesthetic intelligence learn through movement and experimentation. They enjoy sports and activities that require physical exertion and mastery. Some Kinesthetic people enjoy the artistic side of movement such as dance or any kind of creative movement. These artistic types enjoy acting and performing in front of an audience.
"Coming from a farming background, I saw nothing out of the ordinary in running barefoot, although it seemed to startle the rest of the athletics world."
Zola Budd
About Musical Intelligence
People with Musical intelligence recognize sounds and tones with ease. They appreciate music and rhythm. They have a "good ear" for music and can easily learn songs and melodies. They notice when someone is singing off-key. People with musical intelligence are good at imitating sounds or other people's voice or intonation.
"If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music."
Gustav Mahler
About Interpersonal Intelligence
People with Interpersonal intelligence thrive with social interaction. They are gifted at establishing rapport with strangers and make friends easily. They are adept at reading, empathizing and understanding others. People with Interpersonal intelligence work well with others and often have many friends. They are masters at collaboration.
"I'm more interested in interpersonal relationships-between lovers, families, siblings. That's why I write about how we treat each other."
Terry McMillan
About Intrapersonal Intelligence
Philosophy, psychology and theology are often of interest to people with intrapersonal intelligence. They enjoy journaling because it helps them learn about themselves. They are also good at helping others understand themselves. They are able to predict the reactions of themselves and others.
"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear."
C. S. Lewis
About Naturalist Intelligence
People with Naturalist intelligence have a sensitivity to and appreciation for nature. The Naturalist intelligence focuses on how people relate to their natural surroundings. Naturalists have a special ability to grow plants, vegetables and fruit. They have an affinity for animals and are good at training and understanding them.
Naturalists can easily distinguish patterns in nature. They are aware of and intrigued by weather phenomena. They are good at discovering the wonders of nature. Naturalists love to walk, climb, camp and hike. They enjoy the outdoors. People with Naturalist intelligence are inspired and rejuvenated by nature.
"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books."
John Lubbock