We explain what the Theory of Multiple Intelligences is, and the characteristics of each of the skills it identifies.
What is the Theory of Multiple Intelligences?
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences It is a model of understanding the human mind proposed in 1983 by Howard Gardner (1943-), American psychologist and professor at Harvard University.
According to their approach to intelligence, it cannot be defined as a fixed and determined set of specific abilities that some people have and others do not. On the contrary, understands intelligence as a network of autonomous but interrelated capabilities which occur to one extent or another in individuals.
The development of each of these abilities depends on three main factors: your biological or genetic inheritance, your personal life, and your cultural and historical heritage. That is, intelligence is for Gardner a combination of biopsychological potentials that allow us to process information in a creative and useful way, but within a cultural framework of needs and values.
For that reason, There are no intelligent and non-intelligent people, but rather people with one type or another of more developed intelligence since it is always a potential capacity, it may or may not be active.
Thus, in his Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Gardner starts from the fact that, as there are many types of problems and needs, there are also many types of intelligences, which are distinguished from each other according to their specific areas of application.
We all have these twelve forms of reasoning at different levels of development ; which does not mean that we cannot cultivate them, practice them. Although obviously some are more “natural” to us than others.
The following points explain the seven types of intelligence that Gardner originally identified, and naturalistic intelligence, which the same author added in 1995. Later, other types of intelligence were also identified: emotional, existential, creative and collaborative.
Linguistic-verbal intelligence
The function of language in human beings is universal, and it is our main tool for understanding and interaction. However, there are individuals who have greater mastery over it, whether in its spoken, written or creative aspects.
These people, then, have greater linguistic-verbal intelligence, which would translate into their ease of learning new languages, speaking and writing effectively and outstandingly and generally have an understanding of verbal language that is beyond the common.
This type of intelligence is usually highly developed in writers, linguists, speakers, lawyers, poets, political or religious leaders, etc.
logical-mathematical intelligence
This type of intelligence involves abstract non-verbal reasoning. They are, for example, those that involve calculation, geometric perception, the recognition of numerical or logical patterns, or the management of formal reasoning mechanisms, such as mathematics, logic, physics, chemistry, among other exact sciences. applied.
This mode of intelligence has been valued throughout history for its capacity for the creation and manufacture of instruments or for the deduction of the natural laws of the universe, given that It is closely associated with the capacity for inductive and deductive reasoning of the human being.
It is common for this type of intelligence to be greater in scientists, engineers, inventors, mathematicians, accountants, etc.
Spatial or visual intelligence
In this category we find the ability to handle abstract spatial orders using imagination and a sense of direction or logic.
It is the intelligence that It is applied when efficiently using maps, coordinates and orientations. Furthermore, it allows us to imagine an object from a different angle of perception than the one we have, or to create our own perspective, thus being able to create visual presentations, such as drawings, paintings, etc.
It is common for this type of intelligence to be cultivated in architects, visual artists, designers, photographers, publicists, etc.
musical intelligence
Musicality is a universal aspect of diverse cultures, expressed in very different artistic, ritual or any other nature. It implies a certain perception of rhythm, as well as a close interrelation between the ear and the mind which allows you to understand, distinguish and follow rhythmic patterns, or even create them.
Obviously, this type of intelligence is more cultivated in musicians, music critics, shamans, singers, etc.
Body-kinesthetic intelligence
In this case, it is about intelligence applied to coordination of body movements which in the case of human beings also extends to the use of their tools.
In many ways, bodily intelligence appears to be intuitive typical of the nature of the species. On the other hand, in other cases it may be the result of learning, which will be more or less simple depending on the facilities of each individual.
This is the type of intelligence that is most cultivated by athletes, dancers, choreographers, models, actors, but also plastic artists (sculptors, for example) and in many ways, artisans and workers who use their hands and skills. body to solve problems.
intrapersonal intelligence
This is a type of introspective intelligence, it tends to examine the interior aspects of the individual, their internal world. This happens through recognize one's own emotions, one's own feelings, the logic that governs one's own behavior and in that way be able to organize them, choose them and apply what is popularly known as “emotional intelligence.”
This type of intelligence is developed especially by those who are regulars of psychotherapy, or of meditation and other introspective or emotional learning behaviors.
Interpersonal intelligence
Unlike the previous one, this refers to the aspects of dealing with others, that is, to the ability to establish effective bonds with other human beings and recognize their emotions their thoughts (even when they are actively hidden), and provide them with an appropriate response.
Interpersonal intelligence involves high levels of empathy, charisma or manipulation. It is common to find high levels of interpersonal intelligence in political leaders, social workers, psychologists, lawyers and therapists.
naturalistic intelligence
This last category was added to Gardner's theory later, in 1995. It is defined as the ability to observe and understand the relationships of nature and the environment or recognize their patterns.
Such a capacity would have evolved in our species from the need to distinguish beneficial species from dangerous ones, safe situations from dangerous ones, etc., and thus guarantee the subsistence of primitive humanity.
It is common to find high levels of naturalistic intelligence in biologists, botanists, explorers, gardeners, climatologists, etc.
Continue with: Knowledge
References
- “Theory of multiple intelligences” on Wikipedia.
- “Gardner's model of multiple intelligences” (video) in Psicoactiva.
- “Theory of multiple intelligences” in eHealth.
