Understanding Multiple Intelligences

Study Skill 1.1 Understanding Multiple Intelligences

Introduction

Have you ever heard someone point out the difference between “Street Smarts” and “Book Smarts?” The truth is there are MANY different kinds of “smarts,” or intellectual strengths known as intelligences. Perhaps you, too, have certain interests or talents in which you feel you really shine. Maybe you’re a master of relating to people and making friends, but struggle on the field of sport. Howard Gardner has identified eight areas of intelligence to help us understand the different strengths we identify with as people. Understanding and developing your unique strengths can help you unlock your full potential!

Watch

• Practical Psychology “8 Intelligences – Theory of Multiple Intelligences Explained – Dr. Howard Gardner” (YT 4:15) goo.gl/YpO3uT Links to an external site.

Visit

Take the assessment. Do you agree with the results? Why or why not?

• Edutopia “Multiple Intelligences Self-Assessment” quiz: goo.gl/4fmIPK Links to an external site.

Key Idea

• Psychologist Howard Gardner identified the following eight intelligences:

Multiple Intelligences image from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Multiple-intelligence.jpg Links to an external site. 

• When we use our natural strengths, we are generally happier and more successful.
• Once you identify your areas of strength, challenge yourself to improve in those areas and work to build a life of study and work focused on using them.

Apply

• Reflect: In your notebook, record your results and, for your top three scores, spend some time thinking about how these help you succeed in your life. Think about one area that you’d like to develop. How could you invest time or energy into improving and challenging yourself in this area?
• Activity: Form a super team in your classroom. Have students self-identify their strengths. Create a problem you’d like solved in your school or community. How could each person use their strength to impact the outcome?