Stacy Bowers
General Psychology/300
May 31, 2010
Dr. James Bell
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theory of multiple intelligences developed by Howard Gardner. It will be discussing three intelligences; Bodily-Kinesthetic, Logical-Mathematical, and Interpersonal. This paper will also take a look at how each of these three personalities can have an impact on personal success. Illustrations of this discussion are used throughout Chapter 8: Intelligence in the book Psychology (5th edition) and in other articles of the same reference.
Multiple Intelligences
In 1983, Howard Gardner, a Harvard University professor, changed the way people perceive intelligence and learning with his theory of Multiple Intelligences. Intelligence is an ability to solve problems or fashion products that are useful in a particular cultural setting or community. Gardner believed that there are at least eight intelligences possessed by all people, and that every person has developed some intelligence more fully than others. According to this theory, when you find a task or subject easy, you are probably using a more fully developed intelligence. Using a less developed intelligence is considered when you have trouble. “The theory distinguishes eight kinds of intelligence: musical, bodily/kinesthetic, spatial, linguistic or verbal, logical/mathematical, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. Gardner argues that intelligences can be isolated based on a number of criteria, including their neurological independence, the presence of savants (who are severely deficient in major intellectual respects but have pockets of giftedness), and their different developmental courses. Someone could be a brilliant mathematician but inhabit the lowest percentiles of interpersonal intelligence.” (Kowalski & Western, 2009.) To learn successfully, one would need to maximize their strengths and compensate for the weaknesses.
Bodily-Kinesthetic
References: Kowalski, R. & Western, D. (2009). Psychology (5th ed.) Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.