Multiple Intelligence Theories

Key: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary

What is intelligence? What is multiple intelligence?

 Emergence of MI Theories
• Psychologists reject the notion that IQ tests accurately
assess general intelligence or measure full intellectual
capacity.
• Researchers suspect there may be better predictors
for success in academic and professional spheres.

What is IQ? Do you think IQ tests can accurately measure

a person’s full range of intelligence?
 Gardner’s MI Theory
• IQ testing is too limited.
• A focus on verbal and logical skills leads to labeling of
truly gifted people as underachievers.

What types of intelligence does an IQ test not measure?

 High IQ Scores
• Positive evaluations by school teachers.
• Employment opportunities where IQ screening is part
of the application process.
• IQ-equivalent entrance exams are required for college
and university students in the US.

Are IQ tests used for university entrance or employment

applications in your country?
 Gardner’s Research
• Gardner conducted brain research on brain-damaged
individuals.
 He mapped nine regions of the
brain that govern nine types of
intellectual behavior.
 Individuals possess aptitude for
all nine types but are strong in
only three areas.

Which three types of intelligence do you possess?

 The Nine Intelligences
• Strengths reflect working styles and career direction
 verbal: language instructor
 logical: engineer
 musical: composer
 visual: artist
 bodily-kinesthetic: dancer
 interpersonal: teacher
 intrapersonal: psychologist
 naturalistic: biologist
 existential: philosopher

Do your career goals match the types of

intelligence you possess?
 Sternberg’s Theory
• Sternberg’s Theory of Successful Intelligence is based
on social and environmental factors.
• Three sub-intelligences:
 analytic
 creative
 practical

Which type of intelligence do you think is most

important for a successful life? Why?
 Analytic Intelligence
• Skills and abilities:
 analyzing and evaluating various options
 academic problem-solving of tasks with one correct answer
• People with analytic intelligence often do well in
school and are considered
“book smart.”

Do you possess analytic intelligence? Explain.

 Creative Intelligence
• Skills and abilities:
 generating unique and
appropriate solutions to
novel problems
 resolving one issue in a
variety of formats
• People with creative
intelligence are “idea smart.”

Do you possess creative intelligence? Explain.

 Practical Intelligence
• Skills and abilities:
 dealing with everyday problems
 adapting to a new
environment
• People with practical
intelligence are
“street smart.”

Do you possess practical intelligence? Explain.

 Successful Intelligence
• The power to achieve a personal definition of success
within a specific social and cultural milieu.
 Analytic intelligence or IQ measures academic achievement.
 However, the ability to generate
ideas and common sense play
a more significant role in
determining success in the
real world.

Do you agree that creative intelligence and practical

intelligence are more important than IQ?
 Personal Success
• Success begins with an assessment of personal
strengths and weaknesses.
• Use this knowledge to make the most of strengths and
overcome limitations.
• Create optimal life circumstances
within a particular environment.

Do you make the most of your strengths to overcome

limitations in your life?