 |
| I recently saw a piano performance of a left-hand only concerto by Ravel at Abravanel Hall. I was amazed at the pianists and composers ability to play/compose such an amazing piece of music only using one hand on the piano. |
I thought about how the world is so blessed with people with many amazing and different talents and intelligences! What I like to remember is that we do not have all the same kinds of intelligence and that is okay because it makes the world more vibrant and interesting.
In fact, there are exactly 7 kinds of intelligence, according to Howard Gardner the Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In his book (1983), Frames of Mind: the theory of multiple intelligences, Hobbs outlines the 7 kinds of intelligences:
1. Linguistic intelligence involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. 
2. Logical-Mathematical intelligence involves the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically.
3. Musical intelligence involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence involves the use of one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements.
6. Interpersonal intelligence involves the ability to understand intentions, motivations, and desires of other people.
7. Intrapersonal intelligence involves the ability to understand ourselves, appreciate our own feelings, fears, and motivations.
You can have more than one "multiple intelligence." Each of the intelligences are useful in communication. You can also cultivate other kinds of intelligences that can make you more well-rounded.
Dr. Martin Luther King jr. is an example of a person with incredible "linguistic" intelligence. There is a wonderful picture book which illustrates his ability. The book is called, "Martin's Big Words." This book is a Caldecott Honor Winner, Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner and a winner of The New York Times Book Review, "Best Illustrated Children's Book" award. It is a wonderful book that shows the power of words and Dr. King's linguistic intelligence which made such a positive change in the world. As a child he said about his father's sermon, "When I grow up, I'm going to get big words, too." He certainly did!
I'm 6 & 7... this is so fascinating to me. I have always had a belief in the need for everyone to bring themselves to the table of society. We will never live long enough to learn it all, be it all, or accomplish it all. We need one another to make life the fullest it can be.
ReplyDeleteWonderful comment, Dawn! I love it! You are so right!
DeleteMy favorite post, one of my biggest struggle is how i constantly compare myself to others. Unfortunately i compare my weakness to another individuals strengths. Reading this helped me understand my own strengths (6) as well as my own weaknesses. Thank you
ReplyDeleteReally interesting! I agree. I think this is useful in helping us remember not to compare ourselves with others and feel bad. Rather, we can appreciate others and realize how it can enrich our lives.
DeleteI am a 6&7 along with a little bit of 2. This is a very interesting concept to me. Before learning this i class I had no idea that this existed. I try daily to better my interpersonal intelligence. I find that a lot of time this intelligence can be quite difficult.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the MI theory, and even more so, I enjoy the argument it helps breed on whether existing IQ and standard aptitude tests are in fact outdated.
ReplyDeletePeople really are amazing, and unique!
I think that the seven different kinds of intelligences are so important for us to constantly remind ourselves of. It's so easy to compare ourselves to others but you're right, we need to remember that everyone is different for a reason and there are so many beautiful and talented people on this earth and because of that, the world is able to function the way it does.
ReplyDeleteI really like learning about all the types of intelligences. I think a lot of people think that they don't have any talents. A lot of times, it is because they aren't the regular easily seen talents, such as sports or music. I read through the different intelligences and would have to say that I have Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence and Interpersonal intelligence. I'm still working on the other five! :)
ReplyDeleteThe various kinds of intelligence have blown me away since learning about them; There's so many different ways to manage things, it seems like it would be difficult to "play up" things to seven different kinds of strengths.
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of multiple intelligences. I think it helps to give me closure and assurance about my strengths, as well as weaknesses. I think I am a little bit of linguistic, and musical and maybe some interpersonal. I know that i struggle with logical-mathematical. I have never been good at math. But, I need to make sure to keep this knowledge from becoming an excuse. I still need to work on cultivating my mathematical intelligence. Even though I am not naturally inclined to be good at math, I can still work on becoming good at it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked and appreciated this post! It was very interesting to see which categories I fit in to. Since I've played the cello since I was 8, I definitely am #3. I would also so I fit into #6 and probably #7 as well. This concept is very intriguing to me and I love to find out where other people fit as well.
ReplyDelete