Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner first developed the Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) in 1983 in his book *Frames of Mind*, but has now expanded his theory to include nine types of intelligence: Musical-Rhythmic and Harmonic, Visual-Spatial, Linguistic-Verbal, Logical-Mathematical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Naturalistic, and Existential. Rather than focusing on one general ability (g), Gardner's theory suggests that intelligence varies from person to person in terms of "modalities of intelligence."

Gardner's theory has been criticized due to a lack of empirical evidence, especially in light of measures of intelligence such as the WAIS-IV and WISC-V. Psychologists such as Robert Sternberg, Michael Eysenck, and Sandra Scarr have critiqued Gardner's theory based on his interpretation of "intelligence," which lumps descriptions such as "aptitude" and "ability" into his measures of intelligence.

Gardner reported there are two different principal scientific implications for MI. The first being these intelligences make up a comprehensive "toolkit", as all humans are able to develop several intelligences. People always have the ability to have a "unique profile" because of the genetic and environmental factors which influence intelligence. The second scientific implication is that each person has a distinct intelligence profile- even identical twins will have different profiles, although they may be more similar than others. Gardner reported that educational implications are individuation and pluralization. Individuation means people should be taught the best way they learn, and educators should assess them in this way. Pluralization means that educational material can be presented in different ways, and should be, as students will understand concepts differently

### Confusion with learning styles

Gardner's MI has been consistently confused with learning styles.  Gardner denies that these concepts are similar, as he reported learning styles are ill-defined and do not have persuasive evidence supporting them.  Gardner even stated the comparison "grates on me."

### Howard Gardner

Dr. Gardner is a professor of psychology at Harvard University. He has authored 30 books and began developing the MI theory in the 1970s.

1. ↑ Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York: Basic Books.
2. ↑ Sternberg, R. J. (Winter 1983). "How much Gall is too much gall? Review of Frames of Mind: The theory of multiple intelligences". *Contemporary Education Review*. **2** (3): 215–224.
3. ↑ https://archive.org/details/blackwelldiction0000unse\_k9h5/page/192/mode/2up
4. ↑ Sandra Scarr,

An author's frame of mind: Review of Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner, Basic Books (1984),

New Ideas in Psychology,

Volume 3, Issue 1,

1985,

Pages 95-100,

ISSN 0732-118X,

https://doi.org/10.1016/0732-118X(85)90056-X.
5. ↑ https://www.multipleintelligencesoasis.org/a-beginners-guide-to-mi
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences.shtml
7. ↑ https://howardgardner01.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/faq\_march2013.pdf
8. ↑ https://www.howardgardner.com/about