Howard Gardners MI theory

Alright for those of you who don't know me i am ceppy. I am 19 years old soon to be 20 on August 17 if the boys are reading this you are all invited to help me celebrate. Anyway a little about myself I am a big music fan and like a variety from hardcore dance to the DMB thanks to u lucas. I am a TAFE student that's right TAFE nothing wrong with it so long as you aren't in any state of consciousness when you attend. I am currently studying child studies which is quite crap but in order to get into teaching at uni i have to do it. Today however was quite interesting, this subject is known as children's cognitive development that means thinking and problem solvinh for the not so linguistic of you not naming any names. It was quite interesting looking at the different thoerists and their philosophies about how children develop. So i am going to enlighten you on one such theorist known as Howard Gardner who came up with the theory of MI meaning multiple intellgences. No we are not talking about extra terestrials, you see he has eight categories and he believes that children learn cognitive thinking in a variety of these categories so instead of boring you and typing it all up again here is some research which i found early to day, who knows you might learn something and i tend to agree with his theories.


Howard Gardner viewed intelligence as ‘the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more cultural settings,’ (Gardner and Hatch, 1989)

· Gardner’s work attempts to define the role of intelligence in learning.
· Goes against the idea of IQ levels.
· Instead of IQ Gardner develops 8 multiple intelligences: Linguistic, Musical, Logical and
Mathematical, Spatial, Bodily Kinesthetic, Intra-personal, Interpersonal, Naturalists, and possibility of adding Existential Intelligence.
· Gardner’s theory is important in building self-esteem
· In children it endorses being well rounded rather than just intelligent.
· Most schools and standardised tests assess on linguistic and mathematical intelligences.
· Howard Gardner stresses that the intelligences are all equal in importance.
· Each of us to some degree or another fall into all of these intelligences.


Descriptions of the 8 Intelligences

Linguistic Intelligence – involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. This intelligence includes the ability to effectively use language to express oneself rhetorically or poetically; and language as a means to remember information. Writers, poets, lawyers and speakers are among those that Howard Gardner sees as having high linguistic intelligence.

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence – consists of the capacity to analyse problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically. In Howard Gardner’s words, it entails the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking.

Auditorial-Musical Intelligence – involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the capacity to recognise and compose musical pitch, tones and rhythms. According to Howard Gardner musical intelligence runs in an almost structural parallel to linguistic intelligence. This intelligence can be associated with musicians, singers, composers, conductors and other careers in music.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence – entails the potential of using one’s whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is the ability to use mental abilities to co-ordinate bodily movements. Howard Gardner sees mental and physical activity as related. This intelligence can be associated with gymnasts, athletes and dancers.

Visual-Spatial Intelligence – involves the potential to recognise and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas. This intelligence can be associated with artists, engineers, architects and designers.

Interpersonal Intelligence – is concerned with the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people. It allows people to work effectively with others. Educators, salespeople, religious and political leaders and counsellors all need a well-developed interpersonal intelligence.

Intrapersonal Intelligence – entails the capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one’s feelings, fears and motivations. In Howard Gardner’s view it involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives. They also like to be alone. This intelligence can be associated with philosophers.

Naturalist Intelligence – enables human beings to recognise, catergorise and draw upon certain features of the environment. It combines a description of the core ability with a characterisation of the role that many cultures value. This intelligence can be associated with biologists and environmentalists.