MULTIPLE

INTELLIGENCES
Before we go on with our discussion, let us try to analyze this question:
“Is intelligence a single thing or various intellectual faculties?” You must
find out the answer after this lesson.
Dr. Howard Gardner, a professor of cognition and education at the
Harvard Graduate School of Education, developed his theory of
multiple intelligences 20 years ago. Dr. Gardner says that people
employ several different types of intelligence, rather than one
general type. As a teacher, our primary customers are the learners.
The starting point of teaching is, therefore, knowing the nature of
the learner. Nature of the learner naturally includes his/her
intelligence.
 What does intelligence mean to you?

• the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.

 Is intelligence an important characteristic of
a person?
• Yes. Because intelligence may be the best way to classify
Humans—we have our differences; different levels and kinds of
intelligences, and with that, with the help of proper measuring
materials, we can determine where a person lacks competitiveness
on a particular type of knowledge. And also through this
intelligence, we are distinctively different from all other creatures
in the world.
NOW THAT WE ALREADY KNOW THE MEANING
AND ESSENCE OF INTELLIGENCE, LET US COMPARE
THE OLD VIEW OF INTELLIGENCE VERSUS THE
NEW ONE.
1. Intelligence was fixed, they look at intelligence before as bounded
by certain limitations and Intelligence is fixed at a certain level and is
focused primarily on a particular knowledge. In the new view, the
intelligence can be developed; there is a quotation that goes like this,
“DESPITE ITS INAUSPICIOUS APPEARANCE, THE BRAIN CAN STORE
MORE INFORMATIONS THAN ALL OF THE LIBRARIES IN THE
WORLD.” Meaning you could still acquire more knowledge and the
learning doesn’t stop at one phase.
2. Intelligence before was measured by number, in previous times
before you can be considered intelligent, you got to pass some kind
of an exam, the score you will get would determine your level of
intelligence—and these are called IQ Tests. In measuring intelligence
you cannot really determine one’s level and kind of intelligence by
using a test and basing on the test score alone because most of the
Intelligences are not numerically quantifiable—like Musical, Bodily-
Kinesthetic, Interpersonal and Intra-personal because it requires
performances in which you cannot do in a paper-pencil IQ test.
3. Intelligence was unitary, In the traditional view they look at
intelligence as one general type that can be measured thru an IQ Test,
but now a person’s intelligence can be exhibited in multiple ways—
and these are the Multiple Intelligences.
4. Intelligence was measured in isolation, before they believe that the
only way we can measure our intelligence is by the use of IQ Tests,
but now that they look at Intelligence as not unitary, we cannot just
say that a person is intelligent based on the result of an IQ Test alone
but also through some performances, that most of the intelligences
require. And now they believe that a person is intelligent if he can use
his knowledge to survive in real-life situations.
5. Intelligence was used to sort students and predict their success,
before thru an IQ test, they classify and rank people based on the
result of the IQ Test and foresee the future of the person based on
the measured intelligence. But now the kinds and levels of
intelligence are used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a
person’s intelligence, and can be used to evaluate and further develop
one’s capacities.
Have you ever wondered why Tiger Woods (for example) is so good in
golf and others are not? You might say because Tiger Woods has
“TALENT”. With Dr. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, he tells us
that this it is in fact what we call “INTELLIGENCE”. His work not only has
challenged the traditional view of intelligence as a unitary capability that
measured by IQ Tests but also has given rise to a new definition of
intelligence and a new approach to learning and teaching. His view of
intelligence is dynamic-expanding far beyond the linguistic and logical
capacities that are traditionally tested and valued in schools. According to
Gardner, the intelligence is consists of 8 intellectual capacities.
THE EIGHT (8) INTELLIGENCES
Disposition/ Sensitivity to: Inclination for: Ability to:
Intelligence
Verbal – Linguistic the sounds, meanings, speaking, writing, listening speak effectively (teacher,
Intelligence structures, and styles of reading religious leader, politician) or
language write effectively (poet,
journalist, novelist,
copywriter, editor)
Logical – Mathematical patterns, numbers and finding patterns, making work effectively with
Intelligence numerical data, causes and calculations, forming and numbers (accountant,
effects, objective and testing hypothesis, using the statistician, economist) and
quantitative reasoning scientific method, deductive reason effectively (engineer,
and inductive reasoning scientist, computer
programmer)
Spatial Intelligence colors, shapes, visual representing ideas, visually, create visually (artist,
puzzles, symmetry, lines, creating mental images, photographer, engineer,
images noticing visual details, decorator) and visualize
drawing and sketching accurately (tour guide, scout
ranger)
 Disposition/ Sensitivity to: Inclination for: Ability to:
Intelligence
Bodily – Kinesthetic touch, movement, activities requiring strength, use the hands to fix or create
Intelligence physical self, athleticism speed, flexibility, hand – eye (mechanic, surgeon, carpenter,
coordination, and balance sculptor, mason) and use the body
expressively (dancer, athlete, actor)

Musical Intelligence tone, beat, tempo, listening, singing, playing an Create music (songwriter,
melody, pitch, sound instrument composer, musician, conductor)
and analyze music (music critic)

Interpersonal Body, language, moods, Noticing and responding to Work with people (administrators,
Intelligence voice, feelings other people’s feelings and manager, consultants, teachers)
personalities and help people identify and
overcome problems (therapist,
psychologist)
 Disposition/ Sensitivity to: Inclination for: Ability to:
Intelligence
Intrapersonal one’s own strength, setting goals, assessing meditate, reflect, exhibit self
Intelligence weakness, goals, and desires personal abilities and – discipline, maintain
liabilities, monitoring one’s composure, and get the most
own thinking out of oneself

Naturalist Intelligence natural objects, plants,
animals, naturally occurring
patterns, ecological issues
identifying and classifying
living things and natural
objects
analyze ecological and
natural situations and data
(ecologist and rangers), learn
from living things (zoologist,
botanist, veterinarian) and
work in natural settings
(hunter, scout)
The implication of the theory is that learning/teaching should focus on
the particular intelligences of each person. For example, if an individual
has strong spatial or musical intelligences, they should be encouraged to
develop these abilities. A further implication of the theory is that
assessment of abilities should measure all forms of intelligence, not just
linguistic and logical-mathematical. And someday if you become a
teacher don’t judge your students by academic result alone, being a
teacher you should encourage your students to develop their talents and
help them out blossom; your students may possess other intelligences
waiting for you to discover.