Question

Do you agree with Howard Gardner's concept of different intelligences? How do you agree? Be specific. (250 words)

Answer 1

Gardner's concept of seven intelligence has given a new direction to understand the concept of intelligence and has given a new perspective in understanding the individual differences in intelligence and learning abilities. The seven intelligence that Gardner proposed in his theory are:

• Logical-Mathematical intelligence: The ability to understand the concepts of mathematical operations, to reason deductively and think logically is Logical-Mathematical intelligence. It is often associated with scientific and mathematical reasoning.
• Linguistic intelligence: The ability to use and manipulate language to express effectively using various forms of literature. It helps to store informations using language and remember them.
• Spatial intelligence: The ability to comprehend the mental images of maps and graphics.
• Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence: the ability to use bodily movements in various physical activities as dancing, sports, athletics, acting, learning through hands on activities etc.
• Musical intelligence: The ability to understand the rhythms and flows of music,and to understand the different forms of sound in the environment.
• The personal intelligence: The ability to have good understanding of others emotions and feelings- the interpersonal, and the ability to understand oneso emotions and feelings- the intrapersonal intelligence.
• Naturalistic intelligence: The ability to understand the various concepts and phenomena of nature.

The theory of Multiple intelligence is broader theory of intelligence that encapsulates various aspects of intelligence. It has defined why individuals differ in abilities, and also has debunked the conventional thought of intelligence that was mainly based on mathematical-rational intelligence and language ability. It has helped to explain why individuals differ in their learning abilities, and thus has helped the educators to find ways to help students to learn effectively,when their strengths and weaknesses are discovered in the classroom settings. It emphasizes that intelligence is not a result of any single ability, but is a sum total of each abilities in different degrees, thus, the theory of Gardner has helped to understand how people attain proficiency in science, maths, language, music, sports, dance etc while they may be weak in other aspects. Thus, this theory sheds new light on the aspects of intelligence and helps to understand the potentialities of human intelligence.