LHS Home > Parent Portal > Supporting Your Child's Schooling at Home > What Are "Multiple Intelligences?"

What Are "Multiple Intelligences?"

Harvard psychology professor Howard Gardner first presented his theory of "multiple intelligences" in his 1983 book, Frames of Mind. His theory proposes that all human beings possess at least seven intelligences. Gardner sees "intelligence" as a biological and psychological potential that is capable of being realized to a greater or lesser extent in everyone, depending on one's experience, education, social environment, and other factors. The seven intelligences described by Gardner, briefly summarized, are:

Lingustic Intelligence: The capacity to use words effectively, whether orally or in writing. This includes the ability to manipulate the structure and syntax of language, the sounds of language, the meanings of language, and the practical uses of language, such as for explaining, remembering, persuading, etc.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: The capacity to use numbers effectively and to reason well. This includes awareness of logical patterns and relationships, functions, and cause and effect.
Spatial Intelligence: The ability to perceive the visual and spatial world accurately, including sensitivity to color, line, shape, form, space, and the relationships between them. Includes the capacity to visualize, make graphic representations, and orient oneself in spatial surroundings.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The ability to use one's whole body to express ideas and feelings, and the ability to fashion or transform with one's hands. Includes skills such as coordination, balance, dexterity, strength, flexibility, speed, and other physical skills.
Musical Intelligence: The ability to perceive, distinguish between, and express oneself in musical forms. Includes sensitivities to rhythm, pitch or melody, timbre, and tone color. Can apply to either an intuitive grasp of music, or an analytic or technical understanding of it, or both.
Interpersonal Intelligence: The capacity to perceive and distinguish differences in the moods, intentions, motivations, and feelings of others. Includes sensitivity to facial expressions, gestures, and body language. This intelligence also includes the ability to respond to these cues effectively, to work well with others, and to lead.
Intrapersonal Intelligence: The capacity for self-knowledge and understanding, and the ability to act on the basis of that knowledge. Includes having an accurate picture of one's own strengths and limitations, inner moods, intentions, feelings, motivations, needs, and desires, and a capacity for self-discipline and self-esteem.

The theory of multiple intelligences emphasizes that all of us possess all seven intelligences, and each of us possesses them in different degrees and combinations. As Gardner says,

"It is of the utmost importance that we recognize and nurture all of the varied human intelligences, and all of the combinations of intelligences. We are all so different largely because we all have different combinations of intelligences. If we recognize this, I think we will have at least a better chance of dealing appropriately with the many problems that we face in the world."

Viewed in this way, human intelligence is not restricted to only the more narrow linguistic and mathematical abilities measured by most standardized tests and traditionally described in school as being "smart." As Gardner has been quoted as saying, "It's not how smart you are, but how you are smart!"

More and more teachers, when assessing student achievement, are finding ways for students to work within their areas of strength to demonstrate what they've learned, as well as finding ways to encourage students to further develop other abilities and "intelligences" that may be more challenging for them. Parents can do the same. Education works most effectively if the unique blend of ways that people learn, think, and feel is taken into account.

If you'd like to learn more about multiple intelligences, here are some recommended books.

Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Howard Gardner, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1983.

The Unschooled Mind: How Children Think and How Schools Should Teach, Howard Gardner, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1992.

Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice, Howard Gardner, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1993.

In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's Personal Learning Style, Thomas Armstrong, Jeremy P. Tarcher Publishers, Los Angeles, 1987.

7 Kinds of Smart: Discovering and Using Your Natural Intelligence, Thomas Armstrong, Plume/Penguin, New York, 1993.

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, Thomas Armstrong, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Alexandria, Virginia, 1994.

Back to Supporting Your Child's Schooling at Home

Please take our web survey!