Gardner Intelligence

Gardner Intelligence Paper

The theory of multiple intelligences, first proposed by Howard Gardner, defines intelligence as an ability or set of abilities used to solve problems or fashion products that are of consequence in a subject’s particular cultural setting (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). His theory of multiple intelligences is broken down into eight different categories or types of intelligences. Gardner’s theory maintains that each of these separate intelligences contributes to an individual’s ability to be successful in solving culturally significant products and their problem solving abilities (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). Until Gardner has proposed his theory, most modern psychologists relied on a standardized model for measuring intelligence. Gardner proposed that there is not one single measure of intelligence that a person relies on to solve problems, but instead there are several which when measured together will give a more complete picture of an individual’s overall intelligence. This in turn will allow individuals to understand events, function, and solve problems in their everyday lives. His intelligences were broken down into musical, body/ kinesthetic, spatial, linguistic/verbal, logical/mathematical, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal intelligences. Gardner’s theory stands in contrast to the more traditional model of what defines intelligence and consequently, how it can be measured by modern psychologists. This paper will identify three of Gardner’s eight intelligences and examine how they can have an impact on personal success.

The first of Gardner’s multiple intelligences for review is called spatial intelligence. This type of intelligence can be defined as the ability to recognize patterns, use maps, understand charts and graphs, and show the ability to think in three dimensions. This particular intelligence category can have an enormous impact on individuals, especially if their career path demands that they use and understand charts, graphs, maps, etc. in their day to day activities. Spatial intelligence also helps in facilitating communication, especially in industries where rates and numbers are measured to gage daily performance, such as in logistics for example. Using this type of intelligence in the logistics industry helps both clients as well as the logistics business itself understand how much is going out, coming in, where it gets transported, and how much it will cost. It also aids in communicating with others using empirical, logic driven data that cannot be easily misunderstood by others within the same field. Personally, it has helped me to understand how my own employer gages what constitutes a successful day, week, quarter, etc. and where improvements may be needed. Understanding what factors are used to gage success is essential in making sure employees are always performing at optimum levels throughout the entire workplace.