One of the opponents of the traditional measures of intelligence and IQ tests is Dr. Howard Gardner. According to Dr. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory (MI), a person has eight different kinds of intelligences. These are:

1. Linguistic Intelligence is the ability to use language(s) to express oneself and understand others through use of language. Writers, poets, speakers and lawyers have high linguistic intelligence.
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence is the ability to manipulate numbers, recognize patterns, and analyze problems logically and scientifically. Scientists, engineers and computer programmers have high logical-mathematical intelligence.
3. Musical Intelligence is the ability to hear musical patters, recognize them, remember them and perhaps manipulate them. Composers, musicians, and singers have high musical intelligence.
4. Spatial Intelligence is the ability to represent the spatial world in your mind. This includes ability to rotate 3- and 2-dimensional images in mind, represent 3-dimensional objects on paper and recreating images from memory. Both scientists and artists use spatial intelligence.
5. Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence is the ability to use the whole or parts of the body (e.g. hands, fingers, arms etc.) to solve a problem, make something or achieve a specific goal. Athletes, dancers and actors have a high level of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence is the ability to understand other people. This includes the ability to understand the feelings, beliefs, intentions and moods of other people and to use this understanding to work effectively with them. Political, business and religious leaders, diplomats and negotiators all require high interpersonal intelligence.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence is having an understanding of yourself – what you want, what you can do, how you react to situations etc. Poets, artists, motivational speakers, and spiritual leaders use intrapersonal intelligence.
8. Naturalist Intelligence is the ability to understand the natural world well and to work in it effectively. It involves the ability to distinguish among and use the features of the environment to solve problems and create products. Cooks and farmers use naturalist intelligence.

According to Dr. Gardner, each person has their own unique set of multiple intelligences that they use to solve problems or create products or do work. This is where MI is significantly different from the traditional view of IQ: 1) every person uses several intelligences and not just one, 2) intelligence is expressed in our performance, the products we create and our ideas, and not a test score, and 3) how intelligence is expressed is culturally defined. This implies that intelligence represents the potential that may or may not be realized depending on the values, available opportunities and personal decisions made by a person.

A key aspect of MI is that all intelligences are teachable and children can get smarter. This does not mean that a child will excel in all areas. But, it does mean that we can help children develop an understanding and ability in different areas of intelligence by repeatedly engaging them in different learning environments.

In conclusion, it is important to understand not how intelligent a child is, but what multiple intelligences does he/she possess. Understanding our children allows us to help our children enhance their natural abilities and develop other areas of intelligence so that they can achieve their passion in life.

“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” – Winston Churchill

This post is based on the materials available at the website for the Multiple Intelligences Institute.