You’re Smarter Than You Think You Are – AND Than You’ve Been Told You Are by Others!
In 1985 the Harvard psychologist and educator, Dr. Howard Gardner, proposed the theory of multiple intelligences. He raised several questions which he focused on in his research:
* How do we come to know what we know about our world?
* How do we learn and understand information?
* What is the process by which we acquire knowledge?”
* What makes us smart?
* What makes us intelligent?”
The findings of Gardner’s research have literally shaken the foundations of almost everything we used to think about human intelligence.
Most of us grew up believing that intelligence is fixed and static at birth. We believe were born with a certain amount of intelligence and are stuck with it. We must learn to compensate for what we got or didn’t get from nature.
The good news is that Gardner (along with many others!) discovered and documented that our intelligence is not fixed and static at birth. In fact our intelligence is a growing, changing, dynamic reality that continues to expand throughout our lives!
We used to think that could more or less “pigeon-hole” a person’s intellectual abilities through a variety of testing mechanisms. Once identified, we thought we knew what a person’s potentials in their life were.
Thanks to Howard Gardner’s research, we now know that intelligence can be taught; it can be enhanced; it can be developed. At almost any age and any ability level we can learn to be more intelligent, on more levels of our being than we ever thought possible before!
We used to think that one’s intelligence was defined skill in “readin’, and writin’ and ‘rithmetic” as the song goes. These were also the main (and most valued) subject taught in our formal education.
The heart of Gardner’s research was the result of the discovery that intelligence is a multi-dimensional reality. There a many ways we are smart, not just one!
There are many ways we go about such things a learning, understanding, processing information, and knowing what we know in our lives.
Howard Gardner coined the phrase “multiple intelligences” to describe the findings of his research that we are smart in many ways. I call it “The 8 Kinds of Smart”.
Following is a brief description of each of the eight intelligences according to Gardner’s research:
1. ImageSmart (visual-spatial intelligence) — uses the sense of sight and being able to imagine and visualize an object, including making mental images inside our head.
2. LogicSmart (logical-mathematical intelligence) — uses numbers, logic, scientific reasoning, and calculating to help solve problems and meet challenges.
3. WordSmart (verbal-linguistic intelligence) — occurs through written and spoken words, such as in essays, speeches, books, informal conversation, debates, and jokes.
4. BodySmart (bodily-kinesthetic intelligence) — uses physical movement and performance (a.k.a. learning by doing) to understand.
5. SoundSmart (musical-rhythmic intelligence) — learns through sounds, rhythms, tones, beats, music produced by other people or present in the environment.
6. NatureSmart (naturalist intelligence) — the knowing that occurs in encounters with animals, plants, physical features, and weather conditions of the natural world.
7. PeopleSmart (interpersonal intelligence) — uses person-to-person relating, communication, teamwork, and collaboration with others.
8. SelfSmart (intrapersonal intelligence) — the knowing which comes from introspection, self-reflection, and raising questions about life’s meaning and purpose.
So what this means for you is that you are much, much more than you (and other people) are probably giving yourself credit for! Starting today, learn to access and use all the intelligence you have.
David Lazear, author, trainer and business coach, provides a wide range of training resources and services for home business entrepreneurs, coaches, and trainers. Learn more about multiple intelligences on David’s blog Small Business Mentor Training.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Intuitively, we all know that the mind works in sections and that all people are not the same. I believe those who know how their minds work best and learn to take advantage of their best cognitive functions, become more successful and faster. I often spend a lot of time with my patients who recovered from depression or anxiety and are at the cross roads of a new beginning in life, to help them understand what is their mind best at, whether they have a more technical side to themselves or more contemplative side, etc. The types you mention, although they may seem simple, could be used as a practical guide to get to know ourselves better. Thank you for this article.