For many years, people assumed that intelligence was a one-dimensional concept of just reasoning ability, measured by standardized tests. For exam- ple, an intelligent person could either make it through college or fail, based on the ability to perform well on college exams. Those who made it through college and graduated were thought to be smart; those who failed were not.
Lately there is more agreement among experts that intelligence comes in many forms.
Researchers, such as psychologist Howard Gardner, have discovered that there is more than one way to be smart. Instead of asking, “How smart are you?” Gardner would ask, “ How are you smart?” He is referring to the eight intelligences —eight separate areas in which people put their perceptiveness to work. (See Figure 8.1 .) Examine your talents and abilities, to see which of these intelligence categories best describes you: language (the ability to put thoughts into words and to understand words), math and logic, music, spatial reasoning, movement, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intel- ligence, existential, and/or naturalist intelligence. 1
intelligence
Traditionally seen as reasoning ability, as measured by standardized tests.
eight intelligences Eight separate areas in which people put their perceptiveness and abilities to work.
Language
Spatial reasoning
Naturalist
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal Movement
Music
Math/logic
figure 8.1
THE EIGHT DIMENSIONS OF INTELLIGENCE These different types of intelligence are reflected in various talents and skills.
You will know your areas of intelligence by the areas in which you excel. In what areas of intelligence are you strongest?
Language
People who have verbal intelligence are gifted writers, poets, songwriters, and speakers. If you love language and are fascinated by its meanings, expressions, and rhythms, your intelligence falls into this area. Stan- dardized intelligence tests usually tap into this intel- ligence in questions on verbal comprehension and vocabulary. Mark Twain is one of America’s most cel- ebrated authors. Alice Walker, who won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1983, is another; and so is Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize winner for literature in 1993. All three writers provide good examples of intel- ligence in language.
Math and Logic
Scientists and mathematicians find pleasure in using the logical, reasoning parts of the brain. If you enjoy puzzles of logic or brain teasers , you are strong in this type of intelligence. Most of the standardized intel- ligence tests measure math and logic ability levels.
Albert Einstein is a good example of someone who understood the world through his strength in math and logic.
Music
Most people whose intelligence falls into this category have a relationship with sounds. As children, they may have tried to produce new combinations of sounds on their own. As adults, they may become professional musicians.
If you can play, write, or read music with ease and enjoyment, you have this strength. Ludwig van Beethoven, who continued to write music even after he lost his hearing, provides an example of musical intelligence. Your favorite musician or musical group is another example.
Spatial Reasoning
A person who excels in this area has a knack for see- ing how elements fit together in space. This type of intelligence can be expressed by building things, or by something as simple as perfecting the art of flying a hand glider. If you can picture how items will look if they are rearranged, you have this strength. Spatial reasoning is physical and mechanical, and less tied to ideas and concepts. Michelangelo’s understanding of spatial elements in his sculptures provides an example
Ninth Intelligence
Prompted by calls from proponents of mul- tiple intelligence theory to include a spiritual or religious intelligence component, Gardner has suggested that an existential intelligence may be a useful construct. Those with exis- tential intelligence are thought to have the capacity or sensitivity to tackle deep ques- tions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, human consciousness, and why we are born and die. Popular cultural figures such as Buddha, Jesus, Carl Sagan, and the Dalai Lama are thought of as being existentially intelligent. Although existential intelligence is accepted by many as the “ninth intelligence,” Gardner himself is not disposed to add it to the list—yet.
Source: Gardner, Changing Minds: The Art and Science of Changing Our Own and Other People’s Minds, ( Harvard Business School Press, 2004).
mo re a b o u t...
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), a German composer, was already deaf when he conducted his Ninth Symphony. He had to be turned around to see the ecstatic reaction of the audience.
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of spatial intelligence. Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture is another example of this strength in his architecture and designs.
Movement
Most people probably haven’t thought of physical movement as a part of intelligence because it is not part of the traditional definition, but the ability to use your body or parts of your body to solve problems is a type of intel- ligence (also known as kinesthetic intelligence). Athletes and dancers are examples of people who excel in this area. LeBron James and Tiger Woods, recognized as two of the best athletes in the country, provide examples of kinesthetic intelligence; so does Beyonce, the celebrated pop star. Another person with kinesthetic intelligence is Olympic athlete Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, who in three Olympics (2004, 2008, and 2012) won a total of 22 medals, including 18 gold.
Interpersonal Intelligence
This area of intelligence deals with one’s ability to understand and deal with the world of people. It is an essential skill in all aspects of life and is particu- larly important in business. You may find a person with interpersonal intelli- gence in a position of power and leadership, respected by others. If you have a special skill in communicating with others, or if many people have told you that you are a born leader, then you have this strength. Eleanor Roosevelt exhibited this strength in her ability to communicate with all types of people.
Nelson Mandela is known throughout the world as a leader who understands others and can speak for them.
Intrapersonal Intelligence
Intrapersonal intelligence means knowledge of yourself. The person with this type of intelligence is introspective, or able to examine his or her own life and experiences. A person with a large amount of this type of intelligence knows his or her own strengths, weaknesses, desires, and fears—and can act on that knowledge realistically. Aristotle, who advised that you should know thyself, understood the importance of the introspective process known as intrapersonal intelligence. Sigmund Freud devoted his career to helping people understand themselves.
Both Aristotle and Freud illustrate intrapersonal intelligence.
Naturalist Intelligence
The person who is high in this type of intelligence has an under- standing of nature and natural processes. This person becomes a part of the rhythms and cycles of nature. If you are happiest
TYPES OF INTELLIGENCE Recent research suggests that there is more than one way to measure intelligence. Where do your strengths and skills lie? To which intelligences do they relate most closely?
when you are outdoors and have a natural under- standing of the natural world, you have this strength.
Jane Goodall, famous for her work with chimpanzees in central Africa, provides an example of this type of intelligence. Another example is John Muir, the natu- ralist, author, and conservationist who founded the Sierra Club.
If you are a manager, watch for the type of intel- ligence each of your employees exhibits and learn to use their abilities to the fullest capacity. Such knowl- edge can help you to significantly raise the level of an organization’s creative output.