{"id":458,"date":"2023-03-02T20:17:01","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T20:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/6-3-2-learn-it-multiple-intelligences\/"},"modified":"2025-11-14T17:23:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T17:23:12","slug":"6-3-2-learn-it-multiple-intelligences","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/6-3-2-learn-it-multiple-intelligences\/","title":{"raw":"Intelligence and Creativity: Learn It 2\u2014Multiple Intelligences","rendered":"Intelligence and Creativity: Learn It 2\u2014Multiple Intelligences"},"content":{"raw":"

Multiple Intelligences Theory<\/h2>\r\n

Multiple Intelligences Theory<\/strong> was developed by Howard Gardner, a Harvard psychologist and former student of Erik Erikson. Gardner\u2019s theory, which has been refined for more than 30 years, is a more recent development among theories of intelligence.<\/p>\r\n

In Gardner\u2019s theory, each person possesses at least eight intelligences. Among these eight intelligences, a person typically excels in some and falters in others (Gardner, 1983). The following table describes each type of intelligence.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Multiple Intelligences<\/caption>\r\n
Intelligence Type<\/th>\r\nCharacteristics<\/th>\r\nRepresentative Career<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
Linguistic intelligence<\/td>\r\nPerceives different functions of language, different sounds and meanings of words, may easily learn multiple languages<\/td>\r\nJournalist, novelist, poet, teacher<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Logical-mathematical intelligence<\/td>\r\nCapable of seeing numerical patterns, strong ability to use reason and logic<\/td>\r\nScientist, mathematician<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Musical intelligence<\/td>\r\nUnderstands and appreciates rhythm, pitch, and tone; may play multiple instruments or perform as a vocalist<\/td>\r\nComposer, performer<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Bodily kinesthetic intelligence<\/td>\r\nHigh ability to control the movements of the body and use the body to perform various physical tasks<\/td>\r\nDancer, athlete, athletic coach, yoga instructor<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Spatial intelligence<\/td>\r\nAbility to perceive the relationship between objects and how they move in space<\/td>\r\nChoreographer, sculptor, architect, aviator, sailor<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Interpersonal intelligence<\/td>\r\nAbility to understand and be sensitive to the various emotional states of others<\/td>\r\nCounselor, social worker, salesperson<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Intrapersonal intelligence<\/td>\r\nAbility to access personal feelings and motivations, and use them to direct behavior and reach personal goals<\/td>\r\nKey component of personal success over time<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Naturalist intelligence<\/td>\r\nHigh capacity to appreciate the natural world and interact with the species within it<\/td>\r\nBiologist, ecologist, environmentalist<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Gardner\u2019s theory is relatively new and needs additional research to better establish empirical support. At the same time, his ideas challenge the traditional idea of intelligence to include a wider variety of abilities, although it has been suggested that Gardner simply relabeled what other theorists called \u201ccognitive styles\u201d as \u201cintelligences\u201d (Morgan, 1996). Furthermore, developing traditional measures of Gardner\u2019s intelligences is extremely difficult (Furnham, 2009; Gardner & Moran, 2006; Klein, 1997).<\/p>\r\n

Emotional Intelligence<\/h3>\r\n

Gardner\u2019s inter- and intrapersonal intelligences are often combined into a single type: emotional intelligence.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n

emotional intelligence<\/h3>\r\n

Emotional intelligence<\/strong> encompasses the ability to understand the emotions of yourself and others, show empathy, understand social relationships and cues, regulate your own emotions, and respond in culturally appropriate ways (Parker, Saklofske, & Stough, 2009).<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n

People with high emotional intelligence typically have well-developed social skills. Some researchers, including Daniel Goleman, the author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ<\/em>, argue that emotional intelligence is a better predictor of success than traditional intelligence (Goleman, 1995). However, emotional intelligence has been widely debated, with researchers pointing out inconsistencies in how it is defined and described, as well as questioning results of studies on a subject that is difficult to measure and study empirically (Locke, 2005; Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2004)<\/p>\r\n

The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Theory: A Modern, Comprehensive Model<\/h3>\r\n

The most comprehensive theory of intelligence to date is the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities (Schneider & McGrew, 2018).<\/p>\r\n

\r\n

theory of cognitive abilities<\/h3>\r\n

In the theory of cognitive abilities<\/strong>, abilities are related and arranged in a hierarchy with general abilities at the top, broad abilities in the middle, and narrow (specific) abilities at the bottom. The narrow abilities are the only ones that can be directly measured; however, they are integrated within the other abilities.<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  • \r\n

    General Level:<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n\t
    • \r\n

      g (general intelligence), the broadest cognitive ability<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t

    • \r\n

      Broad Abilities:<\/p>\r\n

        \r\n\t
      • \r\n

        Examples include fluid reasoning, crystallized knowledge, processing speed, short-term memory, and visual-spatial processing<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t

      • \r\n

        Narrow Abilities:<\/p>\r\n

          \r\n\t
        • \r\n

          Specific skills within each broad category, such as working memory capacity, phonetic coding, or visual memory<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n

          Intelligence Across Cultures<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n

          What counts as \u201cintelligent behavior\u201d varies across cultures. Intelligence is not only cognitive\u2014it can also be contextual<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

          For example:<\/p>\r\n

            \r\n\t
          • On a small fishing island, intelligence may be tied to knowing how to fish, navigate the water, or repair a boat.<\/li>\r\n\t
          • In Irish cultural traditions, being a skilled storyteller or host might be considered a mark of intelligence.<\/li>\r\n\t
          • In communities that value collectivism, intelligence may be expressed through cooperation, harmony, and supporting the group.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

            Cultural Intelligence<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

            Your ability to understand, adapt to, and function within different cultural contexts is known as cultural intelligence<\/strong> (or cultural competence). This includes recognizing cultural norms, communicating effectively across cultures, and adjusting behavior respectfully.<\/p>\r\n

            [ohm2_question height=\"500\"]4191[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"

            Multiple Intelligences Theory<\/h2>\n

            Multiple Intelligences Theory<\/strong> was developed by Howard Gardner, a Harvard psychologist and former student of Erik Erikson. Gardner\u2019s theory, which has been refined for more than 30 years, is a more recent development among theories of intelligence.<\/p>\n

            In Gardner\u2019s theory, each person possesses at least eight intelligences. Among these eight intelligences, a person typically excels in some and falters in others (Gardner, 1983). The following table describes each type of intelligence.<\/p>\n

            \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            Multiple Intelligences<\/caption>\n
            Intelligence Type<\/th>\nCharacteristics<\/th>\nRepresentative Career<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
            Linguistic intelligence<\/td>\nPerceives different functions of language, different sounds and meanings of words, may easily learn multiple languages<\/td>\nJournalist, novelist, poet, teacher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Logical-mathematical intelligence<\/td>\nCapable of seeing numerical patterns, strong ability to use reason and logic<\/td>\nScientist, mathematician<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Musical intelligence<\/td>\nUnderstands and appreciates rhythm, pitch, and tone; may play multiple instruments or perform as a vocalist<\/td>\nComposer, performer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Bodily kinesthetic intelligence<\/td>\nHigh ability to control the movements of the body and use the body to perform various physical tasks<\/td>\nDancer, athlete, athletic coach, yoga instructor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Spatial intelligence<\/td>\nAbility to perceive the relationship between objects and how they move in space<\/td>\nChoreographer, sculptor, architect, aviator, sailor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Interpersonal intelligence<\/td>\nAbility to understand and be sensitive to the various emotional states of others<\/td>\nCounselor, social worker, salesperson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Intrapersonal intelligence<\/td>\nAbility to access personal feelings and motivations, and use them to direct behavior and reach personal goals<\/td>\nKey component of personal success over time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            Naturalist intelligence<\/td>\nHigh capacity to appreciate the natural world and interact with the species within it<\/td>\nBiologist, ecologist, environmentalist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

            Gardner\u2019s theory is relatively new and needs additional research to better establish empirical support. At the same time, his ideas challenge the traditional idea of intelligence to include a wider variety of abilities, although it has been suggested that Gardner simply relabeled what other theorists called \u201ccognitive styles\u201d as \u201cintelligences\u201d (Morgan, 1996). Furthermore, developing traditional measures of Gardner\u2019s intelligences is extremely difficult (Furnham, 2009; Gardner & Moran, 2006; Klein, 1997).<\/p>\n

            Emotional Intelligence<\/h3>\n

            Gardner\u2019s inter- and intrapersonal intelligences are often combined into a single type: emotional intelligence.<\/p>\n

            \n

            emotional intelligence<\/h3>\n

            Emotional intelligence<\/strong> encompasses the ability to understand the emotions of yourself and others, show empathy, understand social relationships and cues, regulate your own emotions, and respond in culturally appropriate ways (Parker, Saklofske, & Stough, 2009).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

            People with high emotional intelligence typically have well-developed social skills. Some researchers, including Daniel Goleman, the author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ<\/em>, argue that emotional intelligence is a better predictor of success than traditional intelligence (Goleman, 1995). However, emotional intelligence has been widely debated, with researchers pointing out inconsistencies in how it is defined and described, as well as questioning results of studies on a subject that is difficult to measure and study empirically (Locke, 2005; Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2004)<\/p>\n

            The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Theory: A Modern, Comprehensive Model<\/h3>\n

            The most comprehensive theory of intelligence to date is the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities (Schneider & McGrew, 2018).<\/p>\n

            \n

            theory of cognitive abilities<\/h3>\n

            In the theory of cognitive abilities<\/strong>, abilities are related and arranged in a hierarchy with general abilities at the top, broad abilities in the middle, and narrow (specific) abilities at the bottom. The narrow abilities are the only ones that can be directly measured; however, they are integrated within the other abilities.<\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              General Level:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n

                g (general intelligence), the broadest cognitive ability<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Broad Abilities:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n

                  Examples include fluid reasoning, crystallized knowledge, processing speed, short-term memory, and visual-spatial processing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Narrow Abilities:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • \n

                    Specific skills within each broad category, such as working memory capacity, phonetic coding, or visual memory<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n

                    Intelligence Across Cultures<\/strong><\/h1>\n

                    What counts as \u201cintelligent behavior\u201d varies across cultures. Intelligence is not only cognitive\u2014it can also be contextual<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                    For example:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • On a small fishing island, intelligence may be tied to knowing how to fish, navigate the water, or repair a boat.<\/li>\n
                    • In Irish cultural traditions, being a skilled storyteller or host might be considered a mark of intelligence.<\/li>\n
                    • In communities that value collectivism, intelligence may be expressed through cooperation, harmony, and supporting the group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Cultural Intelligence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                      Your ability to understand, adapt to, and function within different cultural contexts is known as cultural intelligence<\/strong> (or cultural competence). This includes recognizing cultural norms, communicating effectively across cultures, and adjusting behavior respectfully.<\/p>\n