Spatial Intelligence

We explain what spatial intelligence is, how it is developed, its characteristics and examples. Also, other types of intelligence.

spatial intelligence tennis
Sports like tennis require the mental image of the ball, its trajectory and the court.

What is spatial intelligence?

Spatial intelligence is the ability of a person to visualize, form and represent ideas or mental images from different angles. This allows the individual to think in three dimensions and understand the shape of figures or space regardless of the perspective from which they are perceived.

This concept is related to the rotation of objects in the mind since it implies the development of a mental image that is formed based on what the senses perceive (colors, lines, shapes, figures, dimensions and the relationship that exists between them). ).

Spatial intelligence does not depend only on the capacity of sight and other senses, but comes from a set of abstract and analytical mental abilities that go beyond the senses sensory.

It is the type of intelligence that allows us to imagine a three-dimensional space and perform various tasks, for example, parking a vehicle, building a model, finding our way, or manipulating a complex tool.

Characteristics of spatial intelligence

Spatial intelligence is one of the eight types of intelligence included in the “Theory of Multiple Intelligences” proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983 and, according to him, it is one of the most important. It is about the ability to understand three-dimensional images and shapes.

The part of the brain that performs this function is located in the right hemisphere. This ability allows solve puzzles, understand maps and work on construction projects or engineering, among others.

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People who show a great development of spatial intelligence excel in the mental interpretation of objects. They tend to be good draftsmen or artists, they enjoy building things and are good at brain games such as chess, where it is necessary to apply spatial intelligence to plan possible moves.

In these games the individual must visualize the variety of possible moves on the board in advance, not just the piece that will move at that precise moment. Additionally, you must imagine the moves your opponent will make.

Everyday examples of spatial intelligence

spatial intelligence examples
Spatial intelligence allows you to trace the most convenient path.

Some examples of spatial intelligence in everyday life are:

  • A tennis player who calculate the moment of impact of the ball on his racket and guides it to take the desired direction.
  • A soccer player who Calculate the speed of your opponents and his teammates, in addition to the distance to the goal, before passing the ball.
  • A person who correctly solve the game “rubik's cube” You have to think in three dimensions and focus on one color at a time to form the different faces of the cube.
  • A person who has a sense of direction You can visualize a path and reproduce a mental image with another perspective, to take a faster alternative route.
  • A person who organizes the messy items in your kitchen you first have to mentally imagine what would be the best space for each object, so that they take up little space and are accessible.

How is spatial intelligence developed?

Spatial intelligence can be developed to improve its potential. Some studies conducted in children suggest that There are close links between spatial intelligence and spatial vocabulary (words like “between,” “above,” “below,” and “near”).

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According to these investigations, those children who knew more spatial words were able to make better spatial reproductions when playing with blocks and were subsequently able to have better three-dimensional mental images.

The experiments also demonstrate the importance of reminding parents to use spatial language in order to stimulate children. It is not about the child learning as many terms as possible, but rather about developing a correct understanding of how shapes can move, transform and join together.

Other types of intelligence

Other 7 types of intelligence, in addition to spatial intelligence, that were raised in Gardner's “theory of multiple intelligences” are:

  • Linguistic-verbal intelligence. It is related to the mastery of words, language and writing. People who develop this type of intelligence are usually writers, lawyers, journalists or teachers.
  • Logical-mathematical intelligence It is related to the analysis of problems, calculations and operations of the exact sciences. People who develop this type of intelligence are usually scientists, mathematicians, programmers, engineers or accountants.
  • Body kinesthetic intelligence It is related to the mastery of body movement and the coordination of physical actions. People who develop this type of intelligence are usually dancers, competitive athletes, builders, sculptors or actors.
  • Musical intelligence It is related to the ability to follow the rhythm of music, and thinking through patterns and sounds. People who develop this type of intelligence are usually musicians, composers, singers or music teachers.
  • Interpersonal intelligence It is related to the ability to understand when relating to other people (capturing emotions, motivations and desires of others). People who develop this type of intelligence are usually psychologists, philosophers, counselors, salespeople or politicians.
  • Intrapersonal intelligence It is related to the capacity for introspection and self-reflection, that is, a high level of consciousness to understand one's own feelings and emotions. People who develop this type of intelligence tend to be philosophers, writers, theorists and scientists.
  • Naturalistic intelligence It is related to the ability to recognize, classify and use elements of the environment. People who develop this type of intelligence are usually biologists, conservationists, gardeners, and farmers.
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In addition to Gardner's theory, there are different researchers who propose other definitions that seek to explain the nature of human intelligence. Among the main theories are:

  • General intelligence The British psychologist Charles Spearman (1863-1945) concluded that intelligence is a general cognitive ability that can be measured and expressed numerically through a mental aptitude test called “factor analysis.”
  • Primary mental abilities The American psychologist Louis L. Thurstone (1887-1955) presented intelligence as a set of different primary abilities (rather than a single ability) encompassing verbal comprehension, reasoning, speed of perception, numerical ability, word fluency, associative memory and spatial vision.
  • The triarchic theory of intelligence. The American psychologist Robert Jeffrey Sternberg (1949) agreed with Gardner that intelligence is broader than a single ability, but maintained that some proposed types of intelligence were just talents of the individual. He maintains, instead, three factors of intelligence: analytical, creative and practical.

Continue with: Cognitive development

References

  • «Spatial intelligence profile» in Thoughtco
  • «Spatial intelligence» in Parenting Science
  • “Theories of intelligence” in Very Well Mind