Human Growth and Development / Unit 7 HGD 0931 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
The idea
Howard Gardner proposed that intelligence is not one ability but eight: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic. Interpersonal intelligence is understanding others; intrapersonal is understanding oneself. Gardner studied people talented in one area, and adults whose strokes damaged some capacities but spared others, as evidence that the abilities are separate.
In practice
A child who struggles with arithmetic but composes music and reads classmates' moods with ease.
Where people slip
Traditional intelligence tests capture mainly the first three: linguistic, logical-mathematical and spatial. The theory is popular with educators, who find it useful for valuing varied strengths. It is also contested, as the next entry explains, and it is not the same as learning styles: Gardner describes abilities, not preferred ways of receiving instruction.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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