PTSD

What kind of smart are you?

No, it's not another of those blog quizzes. At least, not one that I've taken. My brother recently went back to school because he wants to be a teacher. Did I argue against it? Did I advise him to run screaming from all things academic? No, I did not. He'll either love it or find something less student-oriented to do with himself.

Ah, but why am I rambling about my brother's career decisions? Here we come to Gardner's seven intelligences, and what they're teaching the college kids these days. These have been floating around the educational field for decades. I remember them from grade school, when I had a teacher willing to do just about anything to keep our attention. My brother thought they sounded familiar, and figured out that we learned them from the same teacher. He spent the rest of the class deciding our (me, my brother, and our younger sister's) primary and secondary intelligence types. Then he called to see if I agreed, and presumably to think about whether they make sense at all. I'm not sure if he came to the same conclusion that I have--Gardner's intelligence types are interesting, and they widen the possibilities for teaching children beyond the traditional ones, but the primary / secondary distinction seems false, and I'm uncomfortable with his writings on morality and education, as well as the additional forms of intelligence he proposed in later articles.

But for what they're worth, here are the original seven:

Linguistic intelligence involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. This intelligence includes the ability to effectively use language to express oneself rhetorically or poetically; and language as a means to remember information. Writers, poets, lawyers and speakers are among those that Howard Gardner sees as having high linguistic intelligence.

Logical-mathematical intelligence consists of the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically. In Howard Gardner's words, in entails the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking.

Musical intelligence involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the capacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. According to Howard Gardner musical intelligence runs in an almost structural parallel to linguistic intelligence.

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence entails the potential of using one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements. Howard Gardner sees mental and physical activity as related.

Spatial intelligence involves the potential to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas.

Interpersonal intelligence is concerned with the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people. It allows people to work effectively with others. Educators, salespeople, religious and political leaders and counsellors all need a well-developed interpersonal intelligence.

Intrapersonal intelligence entails the capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations. In Howard Gardner's view it involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives.

Something to think about. I'm never entirely sure where I fall in the list, for a variety of reasons. But they're certainly a broader understanding of intelligence than that provided by IQ tests.

posted by Elizabeth @ 10:44 PM