It's no secret that in our culture, how "smart" one is considered to be has to do with concrete factors, such as the test scores they receive and how high their GPA is.
But what if we opened up the way we view intelligence? What if we realized the current way that we define intelligence is painfully limited? What if we considered the idea that there's more than one type of intelligence a person could posses?
For this exact reason, psychologist Howard Gardner developed his theory of multiple intelligence. According to this theory, we must reject the traditional notion of intelligence and open up our perspectives to account for the wide range of abilities and talents each individual has.
Below, you will find how Gardner defines each type of intelligence that we can posses.
1. Bodily Intelligence
Those who are "body smart" have the ability to use a range of physical skills and manipulate objects with ease. They have an almost-perfect sense of timing and mind-body coordination. Some examples of those who possess this intelligence are athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople.
2. Existential Intelligence
People with existential intelligence are deeply philosophical, and spend much time devoted to tackling the questions most of us prefer not to think about: Why are people born? How do we get here? What is the meaning of life? What happens after death? They are characterized by their sensitivity to and capacity to explore deep questions about human existence.
3. Interpersonal Intelligence
You know how there are certain people who are able to get along with just about anybody? These people possess interpersonal intelligence, meaning they can effectively understand and interact with others through both verbal and nonverbal means. They not only intuitively sense the moods of those around them, but also consider their various points of views, allowing them to adjust how they communicate accordingly. Teachers, social workers, actors, and politicians are all examples of those who have interpersonal intelligence.
4. Intra-Personal Intelligence
Those who are "self-smart" have the ability to understand themselves, their thoughts, and feelings. Often self-motivated, they use this knowledge to plan the direction of their lives. Some great examples of those who possess intra-personal intelligence are philosophers, spiritual leaders, psychologists, and writers.
5. Linguistic Intelligence
Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think in words, and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. It allows us to understand the order and meaning of words, and those who possess it are drawn to writing, reading and telling stories, or crossword puzzles. Linguistic intelligence is the most widely shared human competence, and is evident in poets, novelists, journalists, and effective public speakers.
6. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
This type of intelligence allows those who possess it the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations. Those who are logical-mathematical intelligent can easily recognize patterns and relationships, and use a variety of reasoning skills. Those who possess it are often drawn to logic puzzles, strategy games, arithmetic problems, and experiments. Detectives, scientists, and mathematicians are great examples of those who posses this type of intelligence.
7. Musical Intelligence
Those who are musically intelligent are easily able to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone. Those who possess it, such as musicians, composers, vocalists, sensitive listeners, and conductors, can detect, generate, and contemplate music on a deeper level than most. Most often found singing, humming, or drumming to oneself, they indeed are aware of sounds that others may miss.
8. Naturalist Intelligence
Those who are "nature smart" are more sensitive than most of us when it comes to the world around us. They are able to distinguish among all that nature has to offer: animals, plants, geographic formations, and more. In the past, this type of intelligence was necessary for farming and hunting, and therefore necessary for survival. Today, it continues to be vital, especially for those whose work depends on this intelligence, such as a chef, botanist, or farmer.
9. Spatial Intelligence
Those who have spatial intelligence have the ability to think in three dimensions, meaning that they posses an active imagination, graphic and artistic skills, and a penchant for mental imagery and image manipulation. From a young age, the spatially intelligent are drawn to mazes, jigsaw puzzles, and drawing. Architects, sculptors, painters, pilots, and sailors are all great examples of people who possess spatial intelligence.
