Education

Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory originated in 1983 from the work of Howard Gardner at the Harvard School of Education and Harvard Project Zero. This theory rejects as inadequate traditional measures of intelligence or aptitude such as the Stanford Binet Test or SAT for pre-admission to College. Rather, children should be evaluated by what they can do, not what they can not do. In a nutshell, MI theory is a \"pluralized way of understanding intellect\". Advances in cognitive science, developmental psychology and neuroscience suggest that each person's intelligence, as it has been traditionally considered, is made of autonomous faculties or intelligences that work in concert with each other. Howard Gardner (1983, 1993, 1999) believes that we have multiple intelligences, rather than a general intelligence that underlies performance in all tasks. In arguing that there are distinct and separate components to intelligence Gardner offers nothing particularly new. However, what is new about Gardner\'s work is that he does not attempt to support his approach purely through statistical reanalysis of data (e.g. as Thurstone did), but instead he has looked at various \"signs\" to inform his theory of what constitutes intelligence. Gardner\'s multiple intelligence theory is supported by the current anti-g Zeitgeist. He also suggests that different cultures highlight certain intelligences and minimize others.

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The seven intelligences proposed by Gardner are linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal and intrapersonal. Linguistic intelligence enables individuals to read, write and speak well. Logical-mathematical intelligence encompasses logical thinking (as might be used in chess or deductive reasoning, for example) as well as mathematical and scientific problem-solving. Spatial intelligence makes its appearance when an individual navigates an unfamiliar set of streets, or when an architect visualizes her plans for a building. Musical intelligence generates the set of skills that allow musicians to play a tune by ear, or to execute a phrase with sensitivity and grace. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence is necessary for problem-solving that requires the individual to use his or her physical body, as would be necessary for performing a complex surgical procedure, executing a series of dance steps or catching a fly ball. Interpersonal intelligence drives social skills and things like empathy and intuition about what motivates other people-a type of understanding that is necessary for salespersons, teachers and clergy, for example. Intrapersonal intelligence involves a similar set of abilities, but these are turned toward the self; individuals who have high intrapersonal intelligence have an accurate self-understanding, and can use this to their advantage in problem-solving. Gardner asserts that logical-mathematical and linguistic intelligences are overemphasized in traditional models of human intelligence.

I will now break down these eight intelligences down into a broader spectrum so there will be a better understanding of what comes and goes with each intelligence. Linguistic intelligence involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. This intelligence includes the

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ability to effectively use language to express oneself rhetorically or poetically; and language as a means to remember information. Writers, poets, lawyers and speakers are among those that Howard Gardner sees as having high linguistic intelligence. Logical-mathematical intelligence consists of the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically. In Howard Gardner\'s words, in entails the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking. Musical intelligence involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the capacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. According to Howard Gardner musical intelligence runs in an almost structural parallel to linguistic intelligence. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence entails the potential