What is the Theory of Multiple Intelligences? Part 1: Biological Basis

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences isBlythe and Gardner, each intelligence has its own
based on the premise that each individual's intelligence"distinct mode of thinking."Gardner's research with
is composed of multiple "intelligences," each of whichbrain-injured adults and with autistic children has
has its own independent operating system within theindicated that the human brain has separate areas that
brain. These intelligences include: verbal-linguistic,control separate functions. For example, Gardner
logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical,described a woman who suffered a brain injury and
interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist.Thelost the ability to speak, yet she maintained her ability
verbal-linguistic intelligence is the use of both writtento sing. This example shows that the verbal-linguistic
and spoken language for the purpose ofintelligence functions separately from the musical
communication. Those possessing the verbal-linguisticintelligence.Gardner makes a distinction between the
intelligence are sensitive to the meanings, sounds, andisolation of each intelligence within the structure of the
rhythms of words. They love reading, poetry, tonguehuman brain and the isolation of the intelligences when
twisters, puns, humor, puzzles, and riddles.Thecalled upon to complete real-world operations.
logical-mathematical intelligence is the use of abstractIntelligences do not work independently of one another
relationships presented in terms of either numbers orin a real-world setting. According to the theory, most
symbols. It also includes the use of logic and analysis intasks require the simultaneous use of several
the sense of logically organizing an essay or analyzingintelligences in order to be completed successfully.
poetry. Those possessing the logical-mathematicalBruce Torff offers the example of a chess player
intelligence enjoy number games, problem solving,who must use logic and spatial skills to plan ahead and
pattern games, and experimenting. They also do wellfigure out moves and must also use interpersonal skills
with writing that involves exposition, argumentation,to figure out the opponent's defense and plan of
definition, classification, and analysis.The spatialaction. The intelligences are separate entities which
intelligence is the manipulation of objects within a givenoperate in conjunction with each other to create the
space, whether that space is the size of a piece ofwhole of each individual's ability.References:Armstrong,
paper, a room, a building, or a town. Those possessingT. (1994). Multiple intelligences: Seven ways to
the spatial intelligence respond to visual cues and theyapproach curriculum. Expanded Academic ASAP
like to invent and design.The bodily-kinesthetic[on-line database]. Original Publication: Educational
intelligence is the ability to use the body effectively toLeadership, 52 (3).Blythe, T., & Gardner, H. (1990). A
solve problems. Those possessing theschool for all intelligences. Educational Leadership, 47
bodily-kinesthetic intelligence enjoy dramatics,(7), 33-37.Campbell, L., Campbell, B., & Dickinson, D.
role-playing, dancing, and physical expression.The(1992). Teaching and learning through multiple
musical intelligence is the ability to make use of theintelligences. Stanwood, WA: New Horizons for
relationship between pitch, rhythm, and timbre. ThoseLearning.Checkley, K. (1997). The first seven ... and the
possessing the musical intelligence enjoy playingeighth: A conversation with Howard Gardner.
instruments, singing, and drumming, and they like theExpanded Academic ASAP [on-line database]. Original
sounds of the human voice, environmental sounds, andPublication: Education, 116.Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of
instrumental sounds. It has been described as hearingmind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York:
patterns.The interpersonal intelligence is the ability toBasic Books.Gardner, H. (1995a). Multiple intelligences as
understand the thoughts, beliefs, and intents of othersa catalyst. English Journal, 84 (8), 16-18.Gardner, H.
and the ability to respond appropriately. Those(1995b). Reflections on multiple intelligences: Myths and
possessing the interpersonal intelligence are social andmessages. Expanded Academic ASAP [on-line
are in tune with the feelings of others. They makedatabase]. Original Publication: Phi Delta Kappan, 77
excellent leaders, can help their peers, and work(3).Gardner, H., & Hatch, T. (1990). Multiple intelligences
cooperatively with others.The intrapersonal intelligencego to school: Educational implications of the theory of
is a sense of self-awareness used to guide individualmultiple intelligences (Tech. Rep. No. 4). New York:
behavior. Those possessing the intrapersonalCenter for Technology in Education. (ERIC Document
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self-motivated and self-aware.The naturalist intelligenceViens, J. T. (1994). The theory of multiple intelligences:
is an understanding of the natural world and the abilityUnderstanding cognitive diversity in school. Expanded
to use that understanding productively. ThoseAcademic ASAP [on-line database]. Original Publication:
possessing the naturalist intelligence can recognize andNational Forum, 74 (1).Meyer, M. (1997). The GREENing
classify elements from the natural world (e.g. farmingof learning: using the eighth intelligence. Wilson Select
or biological science).The exact combination of[on-line database]. Original Publication: Educational
intelligences varies from person to person. ForLeadership, 55.Moll, A. (n.d.). Kentucky Department of
example, one person might be strong in theEducation. Multiple intelligences self profile [WWW].
verbal-linguistic and interpersonal intelligences withURL: (Accessed September 29, 1998).Reiff, J. C. (1996).
secondary strengths in the intrapersonal, spatial, andBridging home and school through multiple intelligences.
musical intelligences and weaknesses in theExpanded Academic ASAP [on-line database]. Original
logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, and naturalistPublication: Childhood Education, 72 (3).Smagorinsky, P.
intelligences. Another person could have an entirely(1991). Expressions: Multiple intelligences in the English
different combination of intelligences. Each person'sclass. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of
makeup of intelligences is very similar to DNA; no oneEnglish.Smagorinsky, P. (1995b). Multiple intelligences in
has exactly the same combination ofthe English class: An overview. English Journal, 84 (8),
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particular abilities as intelligences include: independenceintelligences and classroom practices. The NAMTA
from other intelligences (within the brain); having aJournal, 21 (2), 31-43.Michele R. Acosta is a writer, a
central set of information-processing operations; havingformer English teacher, and the mother of three boys.
a distinct developmental history; having roots inShe spends her time writing and teaching others to
evolutionary history; and having a cultural basis. Whenwrite. Visit for more articles, for professional writing
Gardner says that intelligences are independent, he isediting services, or TheWritingTutor.biz for other writing
referring to separate sections of the brain that controland educational resources for young authors, teachers,
each intelligence and have distinct methods ofand parents.Copyright (c) 2004-2005 The Writing Tutor
processing information. According to an article by Tina& Michele R. Acosta. All rights reserved.