Multiple Intelligences Theory
Howard Gardner first outlined Multiple Intelligences Theory in his 1983 book "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences," he suggested that all people have different kinds of "intelligence."
To capture the full range of abilities and talents that people possess, Gardner proposed that there is eight intelligence and has suggested the possible addition of a ninth known as "existentialist intelligence."
Gardner theorizes that people do not have just an intellectual capacity but have many kinds of intelligence, including musical, interpersonal, spatial-visual, and linguistic intelligence.
While someone might be influential in a specific area, such as musical intelligence, they most likely possess various abilities. For example, an individual might be intelligent in verbal, musical, and naturalistic intelligence.
Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence
Well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to words' sounds, meanings, and rhythms.
Most people can communicate with verbal-linguistic skills at some level.
Those who rate highly on this modality can demonstrate a more excellent facility with language fluency, using specific words instead of generalities to accurately communicate within a conversation or writing.
People with this intelligence modality may also be adept at learning new languages with ease.
This ability is also displayed through various verbal techniques, such as memorization, storytelling, reading, and remembering information.
It is one of the most loaded general intelligence factors that shows overall mental ability and can be tested using a verbal IQ testing model.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
The ability to think conceptually and abstractly and discern logical or numerical patterns.
Although mathematics and logic are central points to this modality, hence its name, the real focus here is on the ability to perform critical thinking.
It offers evidence of having the ability to understand an underlying principle.
People who rate highly in this modality can handle numbers, abstractions, and logical reasoning because there is a higher overall fluid intelligence that is present.
Musical Intelligence
The ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch, and timbre.
This modality involves intelligence interacting with tones, sounds, rhythms, and music.
People who are rated highly in this modality often have an excellent pitch. Some even have absolute pitch.
These individuals are well-equipped to sing, compose music, and play various instruments.
High-modality individuals are also susceptible to meter, tone, pitch, and rhythm.
They tend to be very hard on themselves for making an error and want melody and timbre to be as perfect as possible.
They learn difficult concepts easily when they are set to music or melody.
Visual-Spatial Intelligence
The capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly.
People rated high in this modality can visualize space accurately by picturing it in their minds.
This is also one of the factors included in other intelligence models, including the hierarchical mode.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
The ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects skillfully.
Being intelligent requires more than command over thinking processes.
There must also be an ability to show that one can overcome instinctual urges.
The mind must control bodily motions so that objects can be handled skillfully.
People who rate highly in this modality can also handle issues involving timing.
They can train their responses to correspond with specific movements, actions, or timeframes to accomplish a particular goal.
Individuals who excel in sports, acting, or musical careers rank highly in this intelligence modality.
Law enforcement, military service, and construction also require high modality levels in this area of intelligence for success.
It is an intelligence that can be developed over time.
Still, individuals must actively participate in the skill for it to grow.
Simulations have proven to be ineffective in enhancing this modality.
Interpersonal Intelligence
The capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations, and desires of others.
Sometimes the people who rate highly in this intelligence modality are referred to as having a high “emotional intelligence.”
This is because individuals equipped with this modality are susceptible to the changing feelings, moods, and motivations of the people around them.
Those with exceptionally high rankings in this modality can even recognize specific emotions and anticipate reactions to those emotions from strangers.
Most people using this intelligence modality to their advantage look for ways to cooperate with a team or group.
They look for a place where they can fill in a needed gap so everyone can get along without conflict.
Sometimes this is thought of as being an extravert. Still, introverted personalities can easily rank high in interpersonal intelligence.
It’s not about liking people; it’s about understanding them at a core level.
These folks like to enjoy a good discussion or watch a debate, making them excellent teachers, counselors, or even social workers.
Intrapersonal Intelligence
The capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs, and thinking processes.
This intelligence modality is much like the interpersonal modality but looking inward at oneself.
It is the ability to understand personal morals and values deeply.
People who rank highly in this modality are very aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
They also know what makes them unique and are unafraid to push that uniqueness out for the world.
A unique trait of the intrapersonal intelligence modality is the ability to predict personal emotions, reactions, and behaviors.
Naturalist Intelligence
The ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals, and other natural objects.
This intelligence modality wasn’t part of the original theory of multiple intelligences.
It would be Gardner who decided that it should be added, which occurred in 1995.
People who rank highly in this modality can recognize and identify flora and fauna.
They can also see how personal decisions would affect the natural world and would use their skills in this modality to protect and preserve it.
Existential Intelligence
Existential intelligence can be defined as the ability to be sensitive to, or have the capacity for, conceptualizing or tackling more profound or more critical questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why we are born, why we die, what consciousness is, or how did we get here.
Also called the ninth intelligence, or cosmic smarts, existential intelligence is the intelligence of big thinking.
People with existential intelligence are abstract, philosophical thinkers.
They can use meta-cognition to explore the unknown.
They thrive on intellectual debate and aren't afraid to challenge the norm.
They're curious about the big questions but don't always seek concrete answers.
For existential thinkers, participating in an engaging discussion fuels their metaphysical ambitions.
Those with existential strength are often described as old souls or cosmic citizens.
For example, you might have met an old soul or two; perhaps you're an old soul yourself.
The most interesting about those with this skill is that they're often quite aware of their existential intelligence.
So it is little surprise when someone suggests they're an old soul or philosophical thinker.
Perhaps that's part of the power of this type of intelligence. It is a deep and comprehensive understanding of the Universe and the Self.
People who develop their existential intelligence tend to stand out with these features:
- Critical thinkers who aren't afraid to challenge the norm.
- Capacity to tackle deep questions regarding their human existence.
- Constantly questioning their meaning and purpose.
- Continually looking to engage in activities that serve their meaning and purpose.
- Easily get caught up in philosophical thoughts and conversations.
- Sometimes disengage from daily activities, which they find mundane.
- Higher sensitivity to needy people, often involved in charity causes.
- Seeking meaningful learning experiences.
- You express a strong sense of belonging to a global community.
- Involving in social and political reasons.
64 questions to identify your Multiple Intelligences