Gardner Intelligence Pap

Gardner’s Intelligences
PSY/300

Understanding your multiple intelligences can help you use your knowledge more actively, whether in an academic setting or not. If you know how you learn, you can identify areas that need positive changes and develop strategies to accomplish your goals more effectively. I took a course last year that included a chapter on Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. This was when I was first exposed to this theory. Gardner defined intelligence as the ability to solve problems as they relate to a particular situation (Carter, Bishop & Kravits, 2007). He believes that there are at least eight intelligences that all people have, regardless of how developed each one is. Every person has intelligences that are more developed than others but you can definitely improve your abilities in weak areas. The idea that each person learns in a different way through a unique combination of intelligences is a novel idea and one that I support thoroughly. I recently listened to a podcast about the IQ test and I truly believe that this traditional view of intelligence does not apply to humanity as a whole. When I was introduced to Gardner's theory, I eagerly embraced it and started investigating what my personal intelligences are. I was excited to see that the textbook for the class I took last year contained a self-test to measure my development in each of the eight categories. I scored highest in linguistic, interpersonal, and bodily/kinesthetic. None of these came as a surprise but knowing what I am skilled in, as well as what my weaknesses are, is essential to personal development and success.
      Having a strong linguistic intelligence has helped me very much in the workplace as well as in academic settings. I have seen how the misuse of language can lead to a person's opinions being dismissed, even if they are good ideas. Today, we are losing face to face communication to technological advances. More and more communication is taking place...