Harvard developmental psychologist Howard Gardner first developed the theory of multiples intelligence in 1983. The studies showed that human intelligence could be categorized across eight different modalities. These areas are: intrapersonal, linguistic/verbal, bodily/kinesthetic, logical/mathematical, interpersonal, musical, spatial/visual, and naturalistic.

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A broader view -

This concept of intelligence went against the former literature of intelligence at the time, such as IQ. As humans, we are often tempted to think in terms of black or white, but in reality things are never as simple as that. The same goes for intelligence. Through understanding how some people are intelligent in different ways, we may adopt a more holistic view of the people around us, rather than merely labeling them smart or not.

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Intelligence comes in many forms -

There is an art to taking care of children and being able to relate to them, for example. We rarely think of childminders as being intelligent, but good ones have above average amounts of interpersonal intelligence.

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Distorted reality -

Our perspective of what should be categorized as intelligence became distorted at some point in time. We began living in cities and relied less and less on farmers for our food and musicians for our entertainment, for instance. In reconsidering how we understand intelligence, we may navigate our lives easier. This may result in having a better grasp of our career goals and place in the world. Knowing that perhaps we’re just unfortunate to be born in a period when our particular strengths are not as financially profitable may be comforting.

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Intrapersonal intelligence -

This form of intelligence refers to abilities like self-awareness, knowing oneself, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and awareness of your own emotions.

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Tendencies -

People with high levels of this form of intelligence may endeavor in writing self-reflections, setting personal goals, daydream a lot, write poetry, and have a strong sense of intuition.

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Career archetypes -

Archetypal careers for people like this are counselors, psychiatrists, historians, clergy members, and philosophers.

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Linguistic/verbal intelligence -

The concept of this form of intelligence is easily understood. Languages come quickly to people with this form of intelligence. They can also use their primary language with the skill to achieve goals.

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Tendencies -

People with this kind of intelligence have a way with words. They are a pleasure to listen to, and may read and write a lot too. They can also be great at negotiating and telling jokes.

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Career archetypes -

Careers for people with this kind of intelligence may be in business, as a writer, in radio or TV, as journalists, or as lawyers.

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Bodily/kinaesthetic intelligence -

People who score highly in this form of intelligence have great control over their movement. They have good coordination and handle objects skillfully. They have a good sense of timing and a quick response in terms of catching, for example.

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Tendencies -

People who are highly intelligent in this area are typically interested in doing things with their hands. This can be participating in sports, building, or dancing, for instance.

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Career archetypes -

Careers that require this include police officers, firefighters, electricians, builders, carpenters, athletes, musicians, and dancers.

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Interpersonal intelligence -

This form of intelligence refers to the ability to understand the feelings, moods, and motivations of the people around you. Those with interpersonal intelligence can empathize with those around them and communicate well. They are not necessarily extroverted, but they have an acute awareness of the emotions of others.

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Tendencies -

People like this tend to be great verbal communicators. They are great listeners and can resolve conflicts. They are also naturally skilled at reading non-verbal social cues and have an innate ability to see other points of view.

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Career archetypes -

Good salespeople, teachers, counselors, and social workers all have high levels of interpersonal intelligence. Without this, they wouldn’t be able to perform the duties of their job.

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Logical/mathematical intelligence -

Another one of the more obvious categories of intelligence is logical/mathematical. As well as being good with numbers, these individuals have a great sense of logical reasoning.

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Tendencies -

People who sway in this direction tend to enjoy reasoning, experiments, and solving problems. They gravitate towards solving puzzles and mysteries, and are skilled at understanding and applying scientific principles.

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Career archetypes -

The kind of intelligence that is needed to be an IT developer, computer programmer, scientist, engineer, financial manager, data analyst and mathematician is logical/mathematical intelligence.

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Musical intelligence -

People with this form of intelligence understand rhythm, tone, music, and melody better than most. They have a high sensitivity to sound in all areas of their lives.

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Tendencies -

People with high levels of this intelligence will gravitate towards listening to music, playing musical instruments, and may remember things through rhythm or by singing them.

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Career archetypes -

Musicians, piano tuners, music therapists, choral directors, conductors, and sound designers all typically require levels of musical intelligence.

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Spatial/visual intelligence -

Spatial and visual intelligence refers to generating, retaining, retrieving, or transforming well-structured visual images.

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Tendencies -

People who are stronger in this area may find drawing, painting, film, or photography pleasurable. They will be able to visualize things very easily in their mind's eye.

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Career archetypes -

Architects, artists, film directors, graphic designers, construction technologists, and interior designers are all careers that generally require this kind of intelligence.

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Naturalistic intelligence -

Naturalistic intelligence is deemed to be a person's interest in and relationship with the natural world (i.e. animals, plants, etc.).

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Tendencies -

People who tip in this direction regarding their individual balance of intelligence tend to become interested in activities such as caring for pets and growing their own vegetables, for example.

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Career archetypes -

The careers that require this particular form of intelligence are botanists, climate scientists, farmers, gardeners, conservationists, and florists.

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Going forward -

Taking this newfound understanding into our daily lives, we may navigate our understanding of ourselves and those around us and hopefully have more self-worth. Having a balance of intelligence across these categories means everyone has something worth offering to the world, which is simply a lovely thought.

Sources: (Simple Psychology)(Edutopia)

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Howard Gardner -

Getty Images

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A broader view -

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Intelligence comes in many forms -

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Distorted reality -

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Intrapersonal intelligence -

This form of intelligence refers to abilities like self-awareness, knowing oneself, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and awareness of your own emotions.

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Tendencies -

People with high levels of this form of intelligence may endeavor in writing self-reflections, setting personal goals, daydream a lot, write poetry, and have a strong sense of intuition.

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Career archetypes -

Archetypal careers for people like this are counselors, psychiatrists, historians, clergy members, and philosophers.

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Linguistic/verbal intelligence -

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Tendencies -

People with this kind of intelligence have a way with words. They are a pleasure to listen to, and may read and write a lot too. They can also be great at negotiating and telling jokes.

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Career archetypes -

Careers for people with this kind of intelligence may be in business, as a writer, in radio or TV, as journalists, or as lawyers.

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Bodily/kinaesthetic intelligence -

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Tendencies -

People who are highly intelligent in this area are typically interested in doing things with their hands. This can be participating in sports, building, or dancing, for instance.

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Career archetypes -

Careers that require this include police officers, firefighters, electricians, builders, carpenters, athletes, musicians, and dancers.

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Interpersonal intelligence -

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Tendencies -

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Career archetypes -

Good salespeople, teachers, counselors, and social workers all have high levels of interpersonal intelligence. Without this, they wouldn’t be able to perform the duties of their job.

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Logical/mathematical intelligence -

Another one of the more obvious categories of intelligence is logical/mathematical. As well as being good with numbers, these individuals have a great sense of logical reasoning.

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Tendencies -

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Career archetypes -

The kind of intelligence that is needed to be an IT developer, computer programmer, scientist, engineer, financial manager, data analyst and mathematician is logical/mathematical intelligence.

Shutterstock

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Musical intelligence -

People with this form of intelligence understand rhythm, tone, music, and melody better than most. They have a high sensitivity to sound in all areas of their lives.

Shutterstock

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Tendencies -

People with high levels of this intelligence will gravitate towards listening to music, playing musical instruments, and may remember things through rhythm or by singing them.

Shutterstock

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Career archetypes -

Musicians, piano tuners, music therapists, choral directors, conductors, and sound designers all typically require levels of musical intelligence.

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Spatial/visual intelligence -

Spatial and visual intelligence refers to generating, retaining, retrieving, or transforming well-structured visual images.

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Tendencies -

People who are stronger in this area may find drawing, painting, film, or photography pleasurable. They will be able to visualize things very easily in their mind's eye.

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Career archetypes -

Architects, artists, film directors, graphic designers, construction technologists, and interior designers are all careers that generally require this kind of intelligence.

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Naturalistic intelligence -

Naturalistic intelligence is deemed to be a person's interest in and relationship with the natural world (i.e. animals, plants, etc.).

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Tendencies -

People who tip in this direction regarding their individual balance of intelligence tend to become interested in activities such as caring for pets and growing their own vegetables, for example.

Shutterstock

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Career archetypes -

The careers that require this particular form of intelligence are botanists, climate scientists, farmers, gardeners, conservationists, and florists.

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Going forward -

Sources: (Simple Psychology)(Edutopia)

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Why you're smarter than you think

At some juncture, our understanding of what qualifies as intelligence became skewed

21/03/25 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Intelligence

It can be very uncomfortable to feel like you're the least intelligent person in a room. What we often tend to forget is that we are all unique and have different aptitudes. It’s proven that there are multiple forms of intelligence. These span across several categories, and the good news is that almost everyone is stronger in one or more areas than others.

Fortunately for some, particular forms of intelligence, such as mathematical intelligence, are more highly valued in the 21st century. People who are gifted in these areas are often highly rewarded financially and socially. Other people’s minds, however, may work in different ways, which may not be as directly in demand in today’s economy.

Click through the following gallery to learn about the different kinds of intelligence, and hopefully gain some perspective about your innate abilities.