Gardener’s theory

(Theory of multiple intelligence) By

“Howard Gardener”

-Nagaraju B.G
B.Sc (Pjc)
 Howard Gardener’s biography :
Howard Gardener , Born on 11th July 1943 , in Scranton
Pennsylvania U.S . Gardener was an American cognitive
psychologist and author, best known for his theory of
multiple intelligences . First presented in Frames of Mind
(1983) and subsequently refined and extended in
Intelligence Reframed (1999) , Gardener’s theory inspired
teachers , school leaders , and special educators to embrace
the notion that there are many ways to be intelligent .
Gardener was the son of Jewish refugees from Nazi
Germany . He was a studious child who loved to read . He
retained a lifelong passion for music that contributed to his
nonunitary conception of human cognitive capacity .
Gardener undertook most of his formal training and
graduate work at Harvard University , where he earned
a bachelor’s degree in social relations in 1965 and a
doctoral degree in developmental psychology in 1971.
Gardener was inspired to study developmental
psychology by the works of Jean Piaget. He also cited
the mentoring he received from the famous
psychoanalyst Erik Erikson as part of the reason why he
set his sights on psychology.
Jean piaget was Swiss psychologist on understanding
childern’s behoviour .
Erik Erikson was an american psychologist on
understanding behavioural changes from childhood to
adult or teenage.
Gardener detailed a complex paradigm in which
human intelligence comprises eight or more
relatively autonomous intellectual capacities that
human can understand oneself and has ability to
recognize .
Gardener's theory has perhaps had the greatest
impact within the field of education , where it has
received considerable attention and use . His
conceptualization of intelligence as more than a
single , solitary quality has opened the doors for
further research and dierent ways of thinking about
human intelligence.
 Howard Gardener's Awards
• 1981- MacArthur Prize Fellowship .
• 1987- William James Book Award , American
Psychological Association .
• 1990- University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award
in Education .
• 2000- John S. Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
Fellowship .
• 2011- Prince of Asturias Award in Social Sciences .
Howard Gardner
 Intelligence definition:
The ability to learn from ones experiences,
acquire knowledge, and use resources
effectively in adapting to new situations or
solving problems .
 Gardener Introduced Nine Theories of Multiple Intelligence

 Verbal or Linguistic
 Musical
 Logical or Mathematical
 Visual or spatial
 Movement
 Intrapersonal
 Naturalist
 Interpersonal
 Existentialist
 Verbal or linguistic Intelligence :
Using words effectively . These learners have highly
developed auditory skills and often think in words .
They can be taught by encouraging them to say and
see words , read books together .
Examples :
• Reading Books
• Playing Word Games
• Making Up Poetry or Stories
• Games & Multimedia
• Tape Recorders and Lecture
 Musical Intelligence :
Show sensitivity to rhythm and sound . They love music ,
but they are also sensitive to sounds in their environments .
Study better with music in the background . They can be
taught by turning lessons into lyrics , speaking
rhythmically , tapping out time.
Examples : Singer
Music composer ,
• Musical instruments
• Music
• Radio
• Stereo
• CD-ROM
• Multimedia
 Logical or Mathematical Intelligence :
Think conceptually , abstractly and are able to see
and explore patterns and relationships . They can be
taught through logic games , investigations ,
mysteries . They need to learn and form concepts
before they can deal with details .
Examples : They like to experiment on
• Solve puzzles
• Ask cosmic question
• Reasoning
• Calculating
 Visual / Spatial Intelligence :
Visual media help students acquire concrete
concepts , such as object identification , spatial
relationship , or motor skills where words alone are
inefficient .
Examples :
• Astronauts .
• Architect .
• Artist .
• Engineer .
 Movements Intelligence :
It is innate capacity to recognize and utilize the
sweet spots of optimal coordination , fine tuning
the process that transforms intentions into actions .
It incoperates conventional kinesthetic concepts of
flexibility , balance , alignment strength as well as
integration and endurance .
Examples :
• Dancer .
• Coreographer .
• Yoga trainer .
• Gym trainer .
 Interpersonal Intelligence :
Ability to understand and interact effectively with
others .
It involves in effective verbal and non verbal
communications .
Examples :
• Teachers .
• Social workers .
• Politicians .
 Intrapersonal intelligence :
It is the capacity to understand one’s feelings or
thoughts and to use such knowledge in planning and
directioning one’s life .
Examples :
• Psychologist .
• Student counsellors .
• Motivational speakers
 Naturalist Intelligence :
It designates the human ability to discriminate
among living things ( plants , animals ) as well as
sensitivity to other features of the natural world .
Examples :
• Farmers .
• Hunters .
• Gatherers .
 Existentialist Intelligence :
Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions
about human existence , such as meaning of life ,
why we die , and how did we get here .
Examples :
• Philosopers .