8 Intelligences: Are You a Jack of All Trades or a Master of One? | Howard Gardner | Big Think
TLDRHoward Gardner discusses multiple intelligences, beyond the traditional linguistic and logical-mathematical ones measured by IQ tests. He outlines eight confirmed intelligences including musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist intelligences. Gardner also mentions two potential additional intelligences: pedagogical, concerning teaching abilities, and existential, which deals with profound questions about life. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing various intelligences, suggesting that the focus should be on individual values and aspirations rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Takeaways
- 🧠 The speaker introduces the concept of multiple intelligences, asserting that there are at least eight distinct types of intelligence that individuals can possess.
- 📚 Linguistic intelligence pertains to the ability to use language effectively, which is common among poets, writers, journalists, and orators.
- 🔢 Logical-mathematical intelligence is associated with skills in mathematics, logic, and scientific reasoning, often highlighted by IQ tests and standardized assessments.
- 🎵 Musical intelligence involves the capacity to appreciate, produce, and conduct music, which is considered an intelligence despite some debate on its categorization.
- 🎮 Spatial intelligence allows individuals to navigate and manipulate their surroundings, both in close proximity and over larger territories, as seen in chess players, surgeons, pilots, and sea captains.
- 🏃♂️ Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence encompasses the ability to use one's body or hands to solve problems or create things, evident in athletes, dancers, and craftspeople.
- 🤝 Interpersonal intelligence is the understanding and interaction with others, crucial for cooperation, motivation, leadership, and teamwork in various social settings.
- 💭 Intrapersonal intelligence refers to self-awareness and understanding, important for individuals navigating their own lives and making personal decisions in a developed society.
- 🌿 Naturalist intelligence is the ability to discern and differentiate between elements in nature, such as plants and animals, and is also applied to modern decision-making in various contexts.
- 👨🏫 The concept of teaching or pedagogical intelligence is introduced, highlighting the innate ability to teach effectively, even observed in young children.
- 🤔 Existential intelligence deals with profound questions about life, love, death, and the future, a uniquely human attribute that drives philosophical and artistic inquiry.
Q & A
What are the two types of intelligence that IQ tests and standardized tests typically measure?
-IQ tests and standardized tests typically measure linguistic intelligence and logical-mathematical intelligence.
What is linguistic intelligence and who are some examples of people who might possess it?
-Linguistic intelligence is the ability to use language effectively. Poets, writers, journalists, and orators are examples of people who might possess this type of intelligence.
What is logical-mathematical intelligence and who might have this type of intelligence?
-Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to do mathematical proofs, scientific reasoning, and experimentation. Logicians, mathematicians, and scientists are examples of individuals who might have this intelligence.
Why is it important to recognize intelligences beyond just linguistic and logical-mathematical?
-Recognizing intelligences beyond linguistic and logical-mathematical is important because it acknowledges the diverse range of skills and abilities that are valuable in various real-world contexts, such as the arts, sports, and interpersonal relationships.
What is musical intelligence and why is it considered an intelligence?
-Musical intelligence is the capacity to appreciate, produce, and conduct music. It is considered an intelligence because it involves a distinct set of skills and abilities, similar to linguistic intelligence but with tones, rhythms, and timbres.
What is spatial intelligence and how does it manifest in different professions?
-Spatial intelligence is the ability to perceive and manipulate objects within space. It manifests in professions such as chess playing, surgery, aviation, and sea navigation, where spatial awareness is crucial.
Explain the two types of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence mentioned in the script.
-The two types of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence are: one, the ability to use the whole body to solve problems or make things, which is common among athletes and dancers; and two, the ability to use hands or other body parts for problem-solving or creation, which is seen in craftsmen.
What is interpersonal intelligence and why is it essential in the workplace?
-Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand, motivate, lead, work with, and cooperate with other people. It is essential in the workplace because it facilitates effective teamwork and leadership.
How is intrapersonal intelligence defined and why is it important in today's society?
-Intrapersonal intelligence is the understanding of oneself. It is important in today's society because individuals often lead their own lives, follow their own careers, and make independent decisions, which requires self-awareness and self-understanding.
What is naturalist intelligence and why is it still relevant today?
-Naturalist intelligence is the capacity to make important discriminations in the natural world, such as distinguishing between different plants and animals. It is still relevant today because our brains adapt this intelligence to new contexts, such as making choices in the commercial world.
What are the two additional intelligences mentioned by the speaker that are still under consideration?
-The two additional intelligences mentioned by the speaker that are still under consideration are teaching or pedagogical intelligence, which is the ability to teach successfully, and existential intelligence, which involves contemplating philosophical and artistic questions.
What is existential intelligence and why is it considered unique to humans?
-Existential intelligence is the intelligence of contemplating big questions about life, love, death, and the future. It is considered unique to humans because it involves a level of self-awareness and philosophical inquiry that is not observed in other animals.
Why does the speaker suggest letting a child's interests guide their development of intelligences rather than strictly following scientific advice?
-The speaker suggests letting a child's interests guide their development because the decision to focus on strengths or bolster weaknesses is a value judgment, not a scientific one. It is more important to align with the child's desires and potential career paths than to strictly adhere to a one-size-fits-all approach.
What is the speaker's view on the concept of humor intelligence?
-The speaker does not believe in humor intelligence as a distinct type of intelligence. Instead, he views humor as the operation of logical intelligence applied in the context of human nature, physical nature, or the workplace, where expectations are flipped to create humor.
Outlines
📚 Multiple Intelligences Theory Overview
The speaker introduces the concept of multiple intelligences, asserting that there are eight well-established types, with a few more being considered. The first two intelligences highlighted are linguistic and logical-mathematical, which are often prioritized by traditional IQ tests. Linguistic intelligence involves skill with language, as seen in poets, writers, and orators, while logical-mathematical intelligence is associated with professions like mathematics, science, and logic. The speaker emphasizes that while these are important, other intelligences such as musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal are equally significant for navigating various aspects of life, including the arts, sports, and personal self-awareness.
🎵 Expanding on the Spectrum of Intelligences
Continuing the discussion on multiple intelligences, the speaker delves into the third intelligence, musical, which involves the appreciation and creation of music. They argue against the notion that music is merely a talent, highlighting its importance historically and culturally. Spatial intelligence is the fourth type, essential for activities like chess or surgery, and for broader navigation like piloting. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, the fifth type, is divided into using the whole body for problem-solving, as seen in athletes and dancers, and the use of hands or other body parts, as in craftspeople. Interpersonal intelligence, the sixth type, is crucial for understanding and working with others, while intrapersonal intelligence, the seventh, is about self-understanding, which is particularly important in modern society where individuals often forge their own paths. The speaker also mentions naturalist intelligence, the eighth type, which involves discerning differences in nature, and is still relevant today in various forms of decision-making.
🌱 Additional Intelligences and Their Relevance
The speaker introduces two additional intelligences they are interested in: pedagogical (teaching) and existential. Pedagogical intelligence is the ability to teach effectively, a skill that even young children demonstrate by adjusting their explanations based on the age and knowledge of their audience. Existential intelligence pertains to the contemplation of profound questions about life, love, death, and the future, which the speaker believes is unique to humans. They argue that while other animals may possess various intelligences, existential intelligence is a distinctly human trait. The speaker also addresses the idea of humor intelligence, suggesting it is an application of logical intelligence in different contexts, and humorously dismisses the notion of cooking, humor, and sexual intelligences, implying they do not constitute distinct intelligences.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Intelligences
💡Linguistic intelligence
💡Logical-mathematical intelligence
💡Musical intelligence
💡Spatial intelligence
💡Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
💡Interpersonal intelligence
💡Intrapersonal intelligence
💡Naturalist intelligence
💡Pedagogical intelligence
💡Existential intelligence
Highlights
Howard Gardner introduces the concept of multiple intelligences, identifying eight distinct types.
Linguistic intelligence is the ability to use language effectively, as seen in poets, writers, and journalists.
Logical-mathematical intelligence is associated with skills in mathematics, logic, and scientific reasoning.
Musical intelligence involves the appreciation, production, and conducting of music.
Spatial intelligence allows individuals to navigate and work within their immediate environment and broader spaces.
Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence encompasses the ability to use one's body or hands to solve problems or create.
Interpersonal intelligence is crucial for understanding, motivating, and cooperating with others.
Intrapersonal intelligence refers to self-understanding and is vital in a society where individuals lead diverse lives.
Naturalist intelligence is the ability to discern and differentiate in the natural world, akin to Charles Darwin's expertise.
Teaching or pedagogical intelligence is the innate ability to educate others effectively.
Existential intelligence pertains to contemplating philosophical and artistic questions about existence.
The debate on whether to focus on strengths or bolster weaknesses in intelligence development is a matter of values, not science.
Humor is not a separate intelligence but rather an aspect of logical intelligence applied in various contexts.
Gardner dismisses the idea of specific intelligences such as cooking or sexual intelligence, suggesting they are not distinct.
The concept of multiple intelligences challenges the traditional view of a single, monolithic intelligence.
Children as young as two or three display pedagogical intelligence, indicating an early understanding of teaching methods.
Existential questions are a natural part of human inquiry, with even young children demonstrating existential intelligence.
Transcripts
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