What Is Intelligence?

Intelligence has been a controversial topic throughout psychology's history. Despite the
substantial interest in the subject, there is still considerable disagreement about what
components makeup intelligence. In addition to questions of exactly how to define
intelligence, the debate continues today about whether accurate measurements are
even possible.

At various points throughout recent history, researchers have proposed some different
definitions of intelligence. While these definitions can vary considerably from one
theorist to the next, current conceptualizations tend to suggest that intelligence is the
ability to:

 Learn from experience: The acquisition, retention, and use of knowledge is an

important component of intelligence.
 Recognize problems: To put knowledge to use, people must be able to identify
possible problems in the environment that need to be addressed.
 Solve problems: People must then be able to take what they have learned to
come up with a useful solution to a problem they have noticed in the world
around them.1

Intelligence involves some different mental abilities including logic, reasoning, problem-

solving, and planning. While the subject of intelligence is one of the largest and most
heavily researched, it is also one of the topics that generate the greatest controversy.

While psychologists often disagree about the definition and causes of intelligence,
research on intelligence plays a significant role in many areas. These areas include
decisions regarding how much funding should be given to educational programs, the
use of testing to screen job applicants, and the use of testing to identify children who
need additional academic help.

Brief Biography of Howard Gardner

Howard Gardner was born on July 11, 1943 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He

described himself as "a studious child who gained much pleasure from playing the
piano." He completed his post-secondary education at Harvard, earning his
undergraduate degree in 1965 and his Ph.D. in 1971.3

While he had originally planned to study law, he was inspired to study

developmental psychology by the works of Jean Piaget. He also cited the mentoring he
received from the famous psychoanalyst Erik Erikson as part of the reason why he set
his sights on psychology.
 "My mind was really opened when I went to Harvard College and had the
opportunity to study under individuals—such as psychoanalyst Erik Erikson, sociologist
David Riesman, and cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner—who were creating
knowledge about human beings. That helped set me on the course of investigating
human nature, particularly how human beings think," he later explained.

Multiple Intelligences
Multiple intelligences is a theory first posited by Harvard developmental
psychologist Howard Gardner in 1983 that suggests human intelligence can be
differentiated into nine modalities.
Multiple intelligences refer to a theory describing the different ways students
learn and acquire information. These multiple intelligences range from the use of words,
numbers, pictures and music, to the importance of social interactions, introspection,
physical movement and being in tune with nature. Accordingly, an understanding of
which type(s) of intelligence a student may possess can help teachers adjust learning
styles, and suggest certain career paths for learners.

9 Multiple Intelligences
1. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
The ability to manipulate both the body and objects with a keen sense of timing is
known as bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. These people are able to accurately
manipulate objects due to a strong mind-body union. This can be demonstrated in the
form of physical skills, for example, athletes and dancers, or in precision and steady
movement, such as surgeons and crafts people.
2. Existential Intelligence
The ability to be able to have deep discussions about the meaning of life and
human existence is known as existential intelligence. People with this intelligence are
sensitive but can rationally address difficult questions, for example, how we got here
and why everyone eventually dies.
3. Interpersonal Intelligence
While the ability to communicate effectively with others is common knowledge on
the basis of interpersonal intelligence, it is not merely limited to verbal interactions.
People with developed interpersonal intelligence are also able to read the moods of
others. Sensitivity to temperaments and the ability to communicate nonverbally allow
these individuals to understand differences in perspectives. Because they can often
accurately assess the sentiments and motivations of others, these individuals make
good social workers, teachers, and actors.
4. Intrapersonal Intelligence
The ability to understand one’s own thoughts is known as intrapersonal
intelligence. Individuals who demonstrate intrapersonal intelligence are acutely aware of
their feelings and can show an appreciation for themselves and other humans. Often
misconstrued as “shy,” these people are actually self-motivated and able to use their
understanding to direct the course of their own lives. Philosophers, psychologists and
religious leaders may all show high levels of intrapersonal intelligence.
5. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence
The ability to express oneself using words and language is known as verbal-
linguistic intelligence. This intelligence is unique because it is the most commonly
shared human ability. It allows us to apply meaning to words and express appreciation
for complex phrases. Through reading, writing and sharing stories orally, we are able to
marvel at our use of language. We see examples of this skill in journalists, poets, and
public speakers.
6. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
Sometimes misconstrued as simply the ability to calculate mathematical
equations, logical-mathematical intelligence is much more than that. Individuals with this
developed intelligence demonstrate excellent reasoning skills, abstract thought, and the
ability to infer based on patterns. They are able to make connections based on their
prior knowledge and are drawn to categorization, patterning, and relationships between
ideas. With experiments and strategy games as two coveted activities, it would make
sense that possible careers would include a scientist, a mathematician, and a detective.
7. Musical Intelligence
The ability to acutely reflect on sounds is demonstrated by those who possess
musical intelligence. These people are able to distinguish between specific pitches,
tones and rhythms that other may miss. Someone with musical intelligence is often a
sensitive listener, and can reflect or reproduce music quite accurately. Musicians,
conductors, composers, and vocalists all demonstrate keen musical intelligence. As
young adults, we can witness these people humming or drumming to a self-directed
rhythm. Musical intelligence is also closely related to mathematical intelligence, as they
share a similar thinking process.
8. Naturalist Intelligence
A sensitivity to features in the natural world is most closely tied to what is called
naturalist intelligence. The ability to distinguish between living and non-living things was
notably more valuable in the past when humans were often farmers, hunters or
gatherers. Nowadays, this intelligence has evolved to more modern-day roles such as a
chef or a botanist. We still carry traces of naturalist intelligence, some more so than
others, which is evident by our preferences for certain brands over others.
9. Spatial Intelligence
Visually artistic people are known to demonstrate spatial intelligence. These
abilities include manipulating images, graphic skills, and spatial reasoning – anything
that would include more than two dimensions. They may be daydreamers or like to draw
in their spare time, but also show an interest in puzzles or mazes. Careers directly
linked to spatial intelligence include many artistic vocations, for example, painters,
architects or sculptors, as well as careers that require the ability to visualize, such as
pilots or sailors.

The multiple intelligence theory can draw students back into learning. Using the
different intelligences to teach a concept allows each of your diverse learners a chance
to succeed at learning. The learner with strength in the visual-spatial intelligence will do
well with drawing and puzzles. By applying the theory of multiple intelligences in the
classroom, educators take into consideration the different types of learners they might
have in their class, reinforce all types of intelligences in every student, and allow for an
individual learning process that will ultimately enable each learner to utilize his or her
specific abilities and demonstrate learning.
Presenting topics using the theory of multiple intelligences, that is using different
pathways and tools to study information, can have a very positive effect on our students’
learning experience. Incorporating for example, role play, collaborative work, picture
puzzles or field trips allows for a learning experience that will not only allow different
types of learners to learn but will enrich every individual’s understanding of the topic.