The Science Behind Multiple Intelligence: Understanding How We Learn
Do you remember those school days when you had to take standardized tests and answer multiple-choice questions? We are led to believe that intelligence is quantifiable in terms of a general intelligence (g) factor, and that everyone has the same cognitive strengths and weaknesses. However, recent studies have shown that this belief is a myth. There are actually eight types of intelligence, and each individual possesses a unique combination of them. In this article, we explore the concept of multiple intelligence and how it underpins our learning process.
What is Multiple Intelligence?
In 1983, a Harvard professor named Howard Gardner revolutionized education when he proposed the theory of multiple intelligence. According to him, intelligence is not a single, general ability that all people possess to a greater or lesser extent. Instead, each person has a unique set of cognitive and intellectual abilities, which he calls “intelligences”. Gardner identified eight intelligences in his theory:
1. Verbal-linguistic intelligence
2. Logical-mathematical intelligence
3. Musical intelligence
4. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
5. Interpersonal intelligence
6. Intrapersonal intelligence
7. Naturalistic intelligence
8. Spatial intelligence
The Learning Process in Multiple Intelligence
Understanding the concept of multiple intelligence helps explain how we learn. Since there are eight different types of intelligence, it is impossible to teach everyone in the same way. For instance, someone with high spatial intelligence may excel at drawings, models, and charts. Meanwhile, a logical-mathematical person would do better with numbers, reasoning, and problem-solving.
Tailoring the learning process to the student’s unique combination of intelligences can lead to a more enriching and satisfying education. Schools that incorporate the theory of multiple intelligence into their curriculum often have activities that focus on developing each of the eight types of intelligence, as opposed to traditional teaching methods that only emphasize verbal-linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence.
Examples of Multiple Intelligence at Work
Multiple intelligence can be seen in various aspects of our lives, from the arts to the sciences. Here are some examples of how different types of intelligence are applied to different professions:
1. Musicians and composers: Musical intelligence
2. Athletes, dancers, and surgeons: Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
3. Counselors and therapists: Interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence
4. Landscape architects and biologists: Naturalistic intelligence
5. Engineers and architects: Spatial intelligence
6. Mathematicians and computer programmers: Logical-mathematical intelligence
7. Writers, poets, and playwrights: Verbal-linguistic intelligence
Conclusion: Embracing Diversity in Learning
In conclusion, the theory of multiple intelligence shows us that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning. Therefore, we should embrace diversity in education and be open to different teaching methods. The more we acknowledge and support different types of intelligence in the classroom, the more successful and satisfied our students will be.
