When it comes to an intelligent person, the imagination imagines a mathematician who solves issues that are incomprehensible to the majority, able to solve a problem in his mind so quickly that an ordinary person does not even have time to write it down. This represents the traditional idea of the mind as a unique skill associated with abstract thought.
In 1994, psychologist Howard Gardner came up with an idea that changed a typical society view of the mind: the theory of multiple intelligence. According to her, there is not one, but 8 types of intelligence that develop differently in each person. “This is the main challenge to education,” says the psychologist.
Types of intelligence are divided into 8 categories:
- Linguistic.
- Logical and mathematical.
- Visual spatial.
- Musical.
- Body-kinesthetic.
- Intrapersonal (existential).
- Interpersonal (social).
- Naturalistic.
According to the types of intelligence according to Gardner, a person has an innate tendency to certain actions. This determines what type it is worth attributing to a particular person.
Therefore, some people are very smart in the field of mathematics, but may not be so good when it comes to interpersonal relationships. An exceptional musician may not be so gifted in expressing himself through words.
Teachers should understand students: strengths, weaknesses, vulnerable areas, the ability to adapt, and also take into account which of the types of intelligence each of them refers to and build training on this basis.
Gardner is confident that the human mind consists of a set of skills that allow you to overcome personal problems and cope with difficulties. To solve various issues it is necessary to understand that the human mind is diverse and it is important to choose a development path suitable for a particular type of personality.
Linguistic type of intelligence
These are people who love and know how to "juggle words." They learn to speak, read and write early. They easily understand a complex text and prove themselves very well when it comes to expressing their own thoughts.
For example, it is easier for people with a linguistic type of intelligence to follow instructions when assembling furniture if it is presented in text form rather than in a diagram. Any foreign language is easily given to them, therefore, among polyglots, linguistic prevails from all types of intelligence.
In order to develop, they need to read a lot and express their own thoughts on paper. It can be anything: a diary, a blog, Twitter, fiction and non-fiction. Play word games such as crosswords and Slovodel. A great workout would be learning a foreign language.
Career: journalism, law, advertising, translations from other languages, writing.
Logical and mathematical intelligence
People with a predominant logical-mathematical type of intelligence tend to solve abstract problems, make calculations and easily count the number of objects.
For example, when you need to divide the amount of a check for lunch, there is always a person in the company who can correctly do this in his mind. It is very likely that this is the owner of this type of intelligence.
To develop, the logical-mathematical type of intelligence can solve sudoku, play games, chess and cope with everyday mathematical problems in the mind.
Career: accountant, engineer, detective, analyst, financier, programmer.
Visual spatial type of intelligence
Its owners are able to very well navigate the terrain, easily understand the drawings and instructions in the form of diagrams.
They are aware of the visual details in their environment that other people are not paying attention to. This is especially true of the structure of buildings and their location.
To develop a visual-spatial type of intelligence, it is necessary to draw up a new route each day (for example, to work) or try to find a way in an unfamiliar area using a map, play puzzles and create models.
Career: graphic design artist, aviation specialist, architect and surgeon.
Musical type of intelligence
People with a musical type of intelligence are easy to recognize by the habit of constantly tapping the melody from their heads with their fingers. They easily master musical instruments, memorize and play music.
For development, they need to listen to music, and the more diverse it is, the better. And, of course, it's worth learning how to play a musical instrument.
Career: cinema, creative advertising, recording studio, pop singer, music critic.
Body-kinesthetic type of intelligence
People of the bodily-kinesthetic type of intelligence have never been accused of clumsiness. They are very accurately aware of their own body, therefore they have good coordination of movement and are very mobile.
This can be observed among dancers and some athletes, for example, gymnasts.
To develop this type, you need to dance a lot, learn a dance that helps to train coordination or do yoga.
Career: physiotherapist, actor, circus artist , surgeon, personal fitness trainer.
Intrapersonal type of intelligence
A high degree of awareness, emotional restraint and the ability to reason sensibly characterize such people. Holders of the intrapersonal type of intelligence (which also means the existential type) are distinguished by the ability to deeply perceive their own self. They perfectly understand and control their own emotions, thoughts and motives. Persons with a pronounced intrapersonal type of intelligence see personal shortcomings and virtues, which allows them to work on their emotional lives, make decisions and set goals in accordance with their own personality.
You need to focus on expressing your own thoughts to people with an intrapersonal type of intelligence, which means thinking and writing down your thoughts in a diary, blogging, practicing meditation, reading articles on psychology and human intelligence.
Career: coaching, spiritual, ethics, entrepreneurship, politics, philosophy, psychology, psychiatry.
Social intelligence
The interpersonal type of intelligence is also called social, which gives its owners excellent communicative abilities. These people are well able to understand others: their emotions, needs, intentions and goals.
They are always in the spotlight, often becoming leaders and soul of the company.
For self-development, people with an interpersonal type of intelligence need to take part in group events, where collaboration, such as team sport, is encouraged.
Career: field of education, human resources, social sphere, consulting, psychiatry, management, politics, mentoring.
Naturalistic type of intelligence
People with this type of intellect love and are able to understand nature well, to distinguish, classify, recognize patterns between species of plants and animals.
Such qualities are usually inherent in biologists and people who like to engage in gardening.
For the development of a naturalistic type of intelligence, you need to read a lot of books on biology, grow plants and care for animals.
Career: veterinary medicine, archeology, ecology, tourism, forestry, farming, geology, biology.
There are 4 main points of Gardner's theory of types of intelligence:
- Each person has all of the listed types of intelligence. But the dominant is only one.
- Most people have the potential for development in each type of intelligence.
- Intelligence works together.
- There are many ways to interpret intelligence in each category.
Despite the fact that a person has a dominant certain type of intelligence, everyone has a tendency to others to varying degrees. Skills can be developed even if talent from other skills is inherent from birth. Gardner's theory also indicates the flexibility of types of intelligence, which means the ability of each person to change over time.