Some people are smarter than others.
This is true. There are people in the world with extremely high IQs. And others with far, far less. But IQ isn’t everything. Researchers are now saying that everyone has a possibility of eight types of intelligence.
The question is, where do we all rank within those categories? This new way of looking at intelligence is called the “Multiple Intelligence Theory.” It views human smarts in distinct categories, with each person having a different level of aptitude in each.
So, while I may be at the top of one category in smartness, I might be very low in another. As you will see, it just depends on our aptitudes in each.
The history of measuring intelligence started some time ago. The “theory of general intelligence” was born in the early 1900s when French psychologist Alfred Binet came up with an intelligence test. Since that time, our good old “IQ” level measurements have been accepted nearly as fact ever since.
But then, in the 1980s, a guy named Howard Gardner came along. A Harvard psychologist. Gardner wondered if there was another way to measure our smarts. He recognized the obvious — that we humans have very staggered profiles of problem-solving skills. We have strengths in some areas and weaknesses in others.
This makes total sense, right?
We all know that person who’s super good with words but can’t figure out how to do basic algebra.
Or someone who is highly skilled in playing the violin might be terrible at public speaking.
It goes on and on. Someone who may be able to lay tile at an extraordinarily high level of skill might not be so good at making pancakes.
So Gardner’s theory suggested that “intelligence is more pluralistic than it is commonly conceived of in Western societies.” He went on to set up parameters for all this new measuring of intelligence, along with several guidelines and protocols
Of course, there are always critics. Those who don’t like this measurement system argue that there isn’t a good set of measurement standards across the board.
However, many scientists support this “multiple intelligence” theory because the findings are based on thousands of empirical studies across the social sciences and biology. And sources.
So here are the eight types of intelligence
1. Linguistic intelligence
Linguistic intelligence means you’re good with words—you might excel at writing, giving speeches, or reading (which means you also reap the many benefits of reading). You can “analyze information and create products that come at you through language.
Strengths:
– Reading and analyzing written information
– Communicating through speech or writing
– Doing tasks involving written or spoken language
Top career choices:
– Novelist or poet
– Public speaker
– Journalist or television anchor
– Editor
2. Logical-mathematical intelligence
If you’re a numbers whiz who’s really good at math riddles, you’re high in logical-mathematical intelligence. People with this intelligence have the ability to analyze information and create products that draw on numbers. Those working with equations, calculations, scientific proofs, and abstract problems are also likely high in logical-mathematical intelligence.
Strengths:
– Doing calculations and equations
– Working with numbers
– Using the scientific method
Top career choices:
– Mathematician
– Computer coder
– Scientist
– Accountant
3. Spatial intelligence
Can you “see” in three dimensions in your mind? If you are great at solving puzzles or understanding charts, maps, and graphs, or if you have a great eye for visualizing images and patterns in your head, you are high in spatial intelligence.
Spatial intelligence is the ability to manipulate and produce spatial images.
Strengths:
– Visualizing in three dimensions
– Creating and manipulating images
– Understanding charts, graphs, and maps
Top career choices:
– Artist
– Graphic designer
– Architect
– Pilot or boat captain
4. Musical intelligence
Those high in musical intelligence aren’t just great singers or guitar players but specifically have an aptitude for sensing rhythm, pitch, meter, tone, melody, and timbre.
Strengths:
– Sensing the elements of music
– Remembering musical patterns and sounds
– Creating, producing, or manipulating music
Top career choices:
– Vocalist or musician
– Conductor
– Songwriter or composer
– Sound engineer
5. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
If you are good at using part of your body (such as your hands) or your whole body to do things, you have this type of intelligence.
Although you can bolster your strength in this area, if you’re high in it naturally, your body might have a gut instinct for how to move effectively. That’s why more than one intelligence may forge your path in life; it’s a combination of intelligences, along with personality traits, that might make one person more likely to become a carpenter and another a basketball player.
Strengths:
– Having coordination, either physical or hand-eye
– Using fine and/or gross motor skills
– Exhibiting excellent muscle memory
Top career choices:
– Athlete or dancer
– Surgeon
– Carpenter or other craftsperson
– Typist or stenographer
6. Interpersonal intelligence
Are you the friend everyone goes to when they have a problem to discuss? Do you possess the instinctual knowledge of how to read people? Then, you’re probably high in interpersonal intelligence, which is the ability to interact with others effectively.
Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to recognize and understand other people’s moods, desires, and motivations.
Strengths:
– Being able to “read” people
– Resolving situations and negotiating effectively
– Understanding others
Top career choices:
– Therapist
– Teacher
– Politician
– Salesperson or manager
7. Intrapersonal intelligence
If you’re really good at understanding yourself and embracing who you are, you have high intrapersonal intelligence. Intrapersonal intelligence is the ability to recognize your own moods, desires, motivations, and intentions
In the words of the ancient Greeks, to be high in this intelligence is to “know thyself.”
Strengths:
– Being very self-aware
– Easily motivating yourself
– Understanding your own needs and wants
Top career choices:
– Entrepreneur
– Business owner
– Freelancer
– Philosopher
8. Naturalistic intelligence
Naturalistic intelligence is the ability to recognize and distinguish things found in the natural world, whether that’s plants, animals, or weather formations. People who work with plants and animals or who study aspects of nature and the environment. If you have this intelligence, you know how to remember things in nature, like the difference between a poisonous mushroom and an edible one, or the characteristics of different cloud formations.
Strengths:
– Distinguishing different plants, animals, and/or other aspects of the environment
– Effectively interacting with the environment, such as having a “green thumb”
– Being sensitive to the needs of the natural world
Top career choices:
– Gardener or botanist
– Zoologist or veterinarian
– Meteorologist
– Conservationist
The thing about this measuring system is that it is possible to have “aptitude” in several areas, if not all of them. But our strengths might lie within one or two of the categories especially.
So sing your own praises in your “smartness.” Let us all know what you are best at in this world.
We are all gifted in some good way. All of us.
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“Talent is a flame. Genius is a fire.” – Bernard Williams
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“Skills and confidence are an unconquered army.” – George Herbert
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“Intelligence is not the ability to store information, but to know where to find it when you need it.” – Albert Einstein
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You are so smart. You know this, or that, it seems.
