The Theory of multiple intelligences Howard Gardner Proposes that there are different types of intelligence that are present in all people, one of which is outstanding or predominant.
Prior to this theory, intelligence was thought of as a single entity, basically related to the ability to solve problems and that can be"measured"through a simple IQ test.
In this article we will explain the 8 Types of intelligences That exist and how you can know yours to work, improve your emotional intelligence and have better results in your life.
Intelligence classes according to Howard Gardner
Linguistic intelligence
It is the one that predominates in people who have an ability to write, express themselves through words, communicate ideas orally or in writing. These people are usually writers, editors, historians, journalists, lawyers, poets, translators or presenters on radio or television.
In children, this intelligence is manifested in the ease of learning a new language, a taste for rhymes or tongue twisters, or an interest in writing stories.
Logical or mathematical intelligence
Provides ability to analyze problems, perform mathematical calculations, identify patterns, determine a facility for deduction and scientific reasoning. Many people with this type of intelligence are accountants, computer programmers, engineers, brokers, scientific or banking researchers.
If your strong point is math and you can perform mental calculations with ease, this is probably the type of intelligence that predominates in you.
In the smallest, mathematical or logical intelligence is manifested through the rapid learning of numerical calculations and the ease of analysis of approaches or problems of this nature.
Musical intelligence
The musical intelligence Is one that sensitizes people to the sounds, cadences and melodies or sounds of nature. These people easily recognize rhythm patterns, have"good hearing"and relate feelings or emotions to songs or rhythms.
Those who have musical intelligence are often musicians, singers, DJs, composers, or music producers. They are able to compose good jingles, direct a chorus, hum a song without dissonance or teach to play a musical instrument.
Children with musical intelligence show special interest in an instrument, follow the rhythm of a melody with their foot or with an object and enjoy listening to their favorite songs.
Kinesthetic body intelligence
People in whom this type of intelligence predominates have good coordination in their movements, ability to perform manual tasks, physical agility and good balance.
These people can be good athletes, dancers, physical education teachers, physiotherapists, masseurs, surgeons or sign language interpreters.
The Kinesthetic body intelligence Allows, among other things, easily assemble a modular furniture, ride horses or quickly learn a choreography.
In children who have early motor development, who enjoy sports and physical activities in general, this type of intelligence probably predominates.
Spatial-visual intelligence
Do you think you have the talent to create a logo, organize a warehouse or paint a landscape? Then perhaps it is the spatial-visual intelligence that predominates in you.
According to Gardner, this type of intelligence allows the interpretation and creation of visual images, increases the imagination and pictorial expression and also allows to think in three dimensions, relating spaces and effects.
People with this type of intelligence usually become good architects, painters, decorators, landscapers, sculptors, photographers or cartographers. They enjoy making maps, pictures, diagrams, plans, etc.
Interpersonal Intelligence
Provides ability to interact with others, helps interpret their behaviors, and improves empathy . In general, people with Interpersonal intelligence Often grasp and understand other people's facial expressions, gestures, or expressions.
They can be good salespeople, politicians, caregivers, educators, health professionals, psychologists, teachers, counselors, etc.
They are also able to express themselves very well using the body language .
Children with interpersonal intelligence work very well as a group, enjoy team activities and are often leaders among peers.
Intrapersonal intelligence
It refers to the ability to know oneself, to be aware of one's own virtues and defects, to have a realistic idea of what one is. This type of intelligence in general is related to a good self-esteem and ability to direct our own life.
Those who have this type of intelligence more developed, are able to reflect on the goals they want to achieve and the personal changes they must make to achieve them, in other words, have what is called" Emotional intelligence ".
At an early age, this type of intelligence manifests itself through emotional maturity, right reasoning, and the capacity for reflection at a deep level.
Naturalistic intelligence
It is the ability to differentiate, classify the elements of the environment and relate to the environment.
It involves observation and reflection skills on the environment, and can be observed in people dedicated to field work, botanists, veterinarians, ecologists, people who enjoy contact with animals and plants in general.
Multiple Intelligence Test
There are several tests to determine what type of intelligence predominates in a person, many of them are available through the internet, are simple and can be completed in a few minutes.
Although the Original test It's in English, I translate the questions. Depending on the predominant answers, you can know what kind of intelligence predominates in you. For example, in my case the answers related to sport and physical activity predominate.
1-What do you like to do during your free time?
- Read
- sports
- To draw
- Solve math problems
- Spend time alone
- Listen to music
- Partying
- Camping, hiking or gardening
2-What types of TV shows do you usually watch?
- My Account
- sports
- From interviews
- Book adaptations
- Nature
- Science
- Design
- Music
3-It's your day of rest and it's a beautiful summer day. You are more likely to:
- Invite your friends to play a football game
- To read a good book
- Go to an art museum
- Go out with friends to the mall
- Review the family budget
- Go to a concert
- Go cycling
- Enjoy all day alone
4-When you try to have ideas for a new project, you are more likely to find inspiration by:
- Walk in your neighborhood
- Read articles related to your topic
- Make a mind map by exploring different options
- Working in your garden
- Listen to music
- Reflecting on the project for yourself
- Create a list with different alternatives and assign each to a value based on different factors
- Discussing options with other people
5-At a party, you are more likely to:
Discuss about your favorite author
- View Host Music Collection
- Observe other people
- Take a walk in the garden
- Challenging someone to a game of darts
- To realize the architecture of the house
- Spend the afternoon calculating how much the party would cost
- Talk to as many people as possible
6-You are sitting in the dentist's office waiting for the appointment. How do you spend your time?
- Strolling
- Listening to music
- Playing sudoku
- Reading a National Geographic article
- Writing to your friends
- Reading a book
- Reading an article in Psychology
7-They have asked you to participate in a play. What role do you have?
- Plan the budget
- Dance
- Write the script
- Lead
- Build the Stage
- Manage customers and other resources
- As an audience
- Playing an instrument
8-You are trying to choose a board game to play with friends. In what activity do you highlight more?
- Remember lyrics
- Leading a group
- Identify who said a famous phrase
- Draw Tracks
- Physical tasks, such as shooting a ball in a basket
- Solving puzzles
- Identifying plants and animals
- Mathematical issues
9-You have a great test tomorrow and you need to review the material. What method of study do you use?
- Create diagrams and charts to summarize
- You do songs to help you memorize concepts
- Read your notes
- You lock yourself in your room without distractions
- You focus on understanding reason and logic behind the material
- You get together with classmates to study
- Divides concepts into different categories to make it easier to remember them
- Try to gain practical experience
One of these tests is to read 35 sentences and decide if they are true or false for you. Each of the sentences is indicative of a type of intelligence mentioned above.
Then, just add the number of true sentences for each category of intelligence and the one with the most is the predominant intelligence.
It is important to note that the fact that there is a predominant type of intelligence does not mean that we do not have other types of intelligence as well. According to Gardner, the ideal is to take full advantage of our potential in the area in which we stand out.
As far as education is concerned, Gardner argues that teaching should guide students based on the kind of intelligence that prevails in them, drawing on their strengths to better develop the abilities that are naturally favored.
And in you what intelligence predominates more? Do you believe in this theory? I am interested in your opinion. Thanks!