Howard Gardner & Theory of Multiple Intelligences

1. Howard Gardner&Theory of Multiple Intelligences Lida Saeedian July 2006

2. A Developmental Psychologist • World's foremost authorities on the topics of intelligence, creativity, leadership, professional responsibility, and the arts. • Gardner is best known for his capacities as a synthesizer of vast amounts of research and theory. • Author of 23 books, translated into more than 20 languages

3. A Brief Biography • Howard Gardner was born in July, 1943 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. • His parents were Jewish refugees who had fled from Nüremberg, Germany in 1938. • Opportunities for risky physical activity were limited, and creative and intellectual pursuits encouraged. Education • Harvard College, September 1961 Studied history, sociology, and psychology. • Completed graduate studies in developmental psychology at Harvard. • 1986, Professor of Cognition and Education at Harvard.

4. To Make the World A Better Place “I want my children to understand the world, but not just because the world is fascinating and the human mind is curious. I want them to understand it so that they will be positioned to make it a better place.” Howard Gardner “… we need to understand if we are to avoid past mistakes, and move in productive directions. An important part of that understanding is knowing who we are and what we can do...”

5. MultipleIntelligences “The intelligences are languages that all people speak and are influenced, in part, by the culture into which one is born.” • Linguistic intelligence ("word smart") • Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number-reasoning smart") • Spatial intelligence ("picture smart") • Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart") • Musical intelligence ("music smart") • Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart") • Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart") • Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

6. Linguistic intelligence ("wordsmart") Ability to Use Words & Language • These learners have highly developed auditory skills and are generally elegant speakers. They think in words rather than pictures. • This intelligence "explodes" in early childhood and remains robust until old age.

7. Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number smart") Ability to Use Reason, Logic, and Numbers • These learners think conceptually in logical and numerical patterns, making connections between pieces of information. • Always curious about the world around them, these learners ask lots of questions and like to perform experiments. • This intelligence peaks in adolescence and early adulthood. (Higher math insight declines after age 40).

8. Spatial intelligence ("picture smart") Ability to Perceive the Visual • The "picture smart" people have the ability to represent the spatial world in their minds. So, they learn best visually and tend to organize their thinking spatially. • These learners tend to think in pictures and need to create vivid mental images to retain information. • They are able to perceive the visual world accurately, and recreate it in their mind or on paper.

9. Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart") Ability to Control Body Movements & Handle Objects Skillfully • Learning by doing has long been recognized as an important part of education. Our bodies know things our conscious minds don't and can't realize in any other way. • These learners express themselves through movement. They have a good sense of balance and eye-hand coordination. • Through interacting with the space around them, they are able to remember and process information.

10. Musical intelligence ("music smart") Ability to Produce and Appreciate Music • These musically inclined learners think in sounds, rhythms, and patterns. They immediately respond to music either appreciating or criticizing what they hear. • Many of these learners are extremely sensitive to environmental sounds (e.g. crickets, bells, dripping taps). • This is the earliest intelligence to develop. Many children tend to learn the alphabet through this intelligence. • This intelligence greatly influences the "consciousness" of the brain and reduces stress

11. Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart") Ability to Relate and Understand Others • These learners try to see things from other people's point of view in order to understand how they think and feel. They often have an uncanny ability to sense feelings, intentions and motivations. • They are great organizers, although they sometimes resort to manipulation. Generally they try to maintain peace in group settings and encourage cooperation. • They use both verbal and non-verbal language to open communication channels with others.

12. Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart") Ability to Self-Reflect and Be Aware of One's Inner State of Being • The "self smart" people have a good understanding of themselves. Because they know who they are, what they can do, and what they want to do, they tend not to screw up. • These learners try to understand their inner feelings, dreams, relationships with others, and strengths and weaknesses. • They learn best through meta-cognitive practices such as reflecting on their feelings and self motivation. They are able to concentrate and be mindful. They prefer solitary activities.

13. Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart") Ability to Recognize and Appreciate the World Around Us • This intelligence, also referred to as Environmental, is based on our close connection to the earth. • You can see the naturalist intelligence at work when the individual is drawn to nature and is fascinated by animals and their behavior. • These people see the subtle meanings and patterns in nature and the world around them.

14. Additional Intelligences • In 1999 Dr. Gardner mentioned the existence of possible additional intelligences: • Spiritual intelligence • Existential intelligence • Moral intelligence

15. Sources http://learnweb.harvard.edu/alps/ http://www.howardgardner.com http://pzweb.harvard.edu http://www.arches.uga.edu http://www.studentretentioncenter.ucla.edu http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/adapthandbook/learner/multintl.html http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/gardner.shtml http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm http://www.businessballs.com