The Multiple Intelligence Theory introduced by Dr. Howard Gardner in 1983 is one of my favourites to explain the human nature and interactions. The traditional (western) take on intelligence is linguisticaly and logical-mathematically based (known as IQ). However that does not work for everyone, as there is obviously more variety of intelligences. Here is the Gardner`s classification:
 |
Linguistic intelligence (“word smart”): |
|
Logical-mathematical intelligence (“number/reasoning smart”) |
|
Spatial intelligence (“picture, space smart”) |
|
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (“body smart”) |
|
Musical intelligence (“music smart”) |
|
Interpersonal intelligence (“people smart”) |
|
Intrapersonal intelligence (“self smart”) |
|
Naturalist intelligence (“nature smart”) |
More recently, Gardner (1998) has nominated two additional candidate intelligences: Spiritual and Existentional ones, however he was less sure about how to define and incorporate them.
The theory says, a person has some of these intelligences highly developed, some less.
This is a cross-post from my Shaktipower Blog, my supposition on how multiple intelligence theory is connected with a happy marriage you will find here.
LOVE, axinia
axinia
Hi Axinia, this was interesting. I tried both tests and got similar results – high on linguistic, self (the latter from regular meditation over many years I guess) and social. Low on body smart. LOL. No surprises there although the worst was logic which I think is where the test is flawed since it is purely based on numbers and puzzles etc but doesn’t account for tasks such as troubleshooting software or OS system problems which is what I do regularly as part of my job. This clearly requires an ability for deductive logic although rarely requires any type of number crunching/manipulation.
I never knew of the theory before…..its good to know actually….and the tests are very interesting and both of them gave me similar results…top 3 being, musical, logical and interpersonal….and low on spatial intelligence….but to be honest with you, I feel I am good at music and science as it says……I was surprised to see the same results….now I guess I believe
..
Thanks Axinia
well there is a saying in tamil,which goes like important skills are 64…(roughly translated,verbatim)
@Steve,
It actually you and your wife who is the second couple I thought of making this supposition…both with highly develped lingusitc intelligence, although you probably did not know about is when you got married:)
@Ramya, thanks for sharing your results! see, it works!
@vishesh, thanks, there is for sure much more to discover about human beings…
Great post, Axinia! I too believe that there are many types of intelligences and that intelligence simply cannot be measured in terms of tests and units.
I tested myself and the results were like this: high on intrapersonal and logical; average in spatial, linguistic, kinesthetic and natural; low on musical and social
but I am not surprised by the results 
However, why they describe mutiple personality as a disorder and intelligence as a good thing??
I think we should not mix these things – a multiple personality is really an illness., because it is actually like several people living in the same body. And multiple intelligence is something each of us has, because we naturaly have different sides of our charachter and intellect, but that still appears to be “one”. If you compare two persons – one metally ill with “multiple personality effecrt” and the normal one, with different intelligent types – you will easily see the differnce and I am sure you will prefere the second one
where is the question of multiply intellegences?
rhean, your qeustion is not clear now, may be you just have to follow the link and read the post till the end:
http://shaktipower.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/supposition-how-multiple-intelligence-theory-is-vital-for-a-happy-marriage/