The Categories of Multiple Intelligences
According to Dr. Howard Gardner, Multiple Intelligences
determine how we process information, meaning, how we learn.
There are nine categories of Multiple Intelligences, as follow:
(1) Verbal/Linguistic, being the ability to understand syntax,
semantics and phonology of a language; the use of new, strange
or fun vocabulary words as well as humor; an appreciation for
academic debate. A person in this category would be word smart;
(2) Bodily/Kinesthetic, being the ability to control one's
motions and the capacity to handle objects skillfully; and
appreciation for dancing, jogging, acting, sports. A person in
this category would be body smart;
(3) Visual/Spatial, being the ability to perceive the visual
world accurately; of using mind-mapping process; an appreciation
for puzzles, active imagination process. A person in this
category would be picture smart;
(4) Musical/Rhythmical, being the ability to understand and
express the components of music, sound, singing, drumming, and
beats; an appreciation for all forms of music manifestation. A
person in this category would be music smart;
(5) Logical/Mathematical, being the ability to understand and
use logical structures, patterns, and relationships; an
appreciation for mind-stretching puzzles, working to solve a
problem or new thinking patterns. A person in this category
would be logic smart;
(6) Intrapersonal, being the ability to access one's own
emotional life; an appreciation of higher order thinking or
reasoning skills; possessing an awareness of feelings and
emotions. A person in this category would be self smart;
(7) Interpersonal, being an ability to notice and make
distinctions of moods, motivations, team spirit, good
person-to-person communication, and positive interdependence. A
person in this category would be people smart. This is, by the
way, a common characteristic presented by teachers;
(8) Naturalistic, being an ability to recognize and classify
nature and care for creatures and ecosystems as well as to
describe and analyze insects, animals, rocks, plants.
Discrimination by a teenager with regards to cars, sound
systems, sneakers, CDs, films, etc also fit in this category. A
person in this category would be nature smart;
(9) Existential, being the ability to ask "big" questions, to
look for the truth, beauty, goodness, and the meaning of life. A
person in this category could be called spirit smart.
So here, think about these descriptions and see where you fit
and remember that we all possess many of them. I speak more
deeply about them in another article. Enjoy, for now.