Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Gardner, H. (1993). Frames of Mind. Tenth Anniversary edition. Introduction.

Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Wikipedia entry.


The first reading by Gardner discusses how some people believe that intelligence is inborn and each person has to a certain degree. They believe that this intelligence can be measure through linguistic short answer, pencil and paper test. Other believe that intelligence is not just one thing but a variety of different things and cannot be measure through pen and paper test. These different intelligences include spacial intelligence, musical intelligence, kinesthetic intelligence, mathematical and linguistic intelligence, spiritual intelligence and intelligence of other people and intelligence of ones' self. Gardner continues to discuss how is MI theory believes that there are different domains in which the culture of the environment and the artifacts present effect the type of intelligence individuals develop. This theory also supports the opinion that just because one student does better in math than other students it does not make the low achieving student any less intelligent than the high achieving student. It may just mean that the low achieving math student is intelligent in another area and domain. The second reading from wikipedia give a general definition of multiple intelligence.

In my opinion intelligence can not be categorized into one subject. I believe in multiple intelligence. I believe in the different areas of intelligence and I don't think anyone has the right to say which of these areas is more significant than the others. I also support the idea that the type of living environment and culture has an affect on what we learn and how we learn. To say that there is no such thing as musical intelligence would deny respect and recognition of great artist. To say there is no kinesthetic intelligence would ignore the achievements of great athletes. To say there is no spiritual intelligence would degrade the work of powerful religious leaders. There may not be anyway to test the theory of multiple intelligence but I don't think the theory calls for testing. Perhaps we should accept the theory and work towards creating curriculum and learning environments that allow students to experiment and all areas of intelligence.