It is noted in the history of psychology that Howard Gardner
created quite a stir in the 1980s when he introduced the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner suggested that genetics
does not explain intelligence, but intelligence is as an acquired set of skills
that make it possible to solve problems.
Although somewhat limited, Gardner’s suggestion of eight intelligences,
as identifiable through a series of existing tests, he argues that individuals may
possess multiple forms of intelligences.
They are “musical, bodily/kinesthetic (such as the control over the body
and movement that distinguishes great athletes and dancers), spatial (the use
of mental maps), linguistic or verbal, logical/mathematical, naturalistic,
intrapersonal (self-understanding), and interpersonal (social skills)”
(Kowalski & Westen, 2011, p. 289).
Three things that remain true are the many facets of intelligence;
where one person may excel in one form of intelligence, others, even in the
same house will excel in other areas. Leading one to believe that intelligence is
functional; evolutionarily speaking it is always directed toward solving
problems for survival and reproduction.
Cognitively, its function is for the purpose of solving problems or
obtaining results (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). For this reason, intelligence is also culturally
defined as the requirement of survival, reproduction, and problem solving. While this definition of intelligence means
one thing to one culture (e.g., physical prowess) it can mean something
different to others (e.g., hunter, gatherer skills). There are also intellectual differences from
person to person and in forms of intelligence, from extremely gifted to mental
retardation (e.g., a deficit of intelligence).
Although each of Gardner’s intelligences has great significance on
everyone’s life, the following three forms of intelligence can significantly influence
personal successes: naturalistic, spatial, and interpersonal.
Three
Intelligences that Impact Success
Naturalist Intelligence
To
better understanding naturalist intelligence, consider the ability of
individuals from the earliest roots of American History. American Indians and pioneers of the frontier
could discriminate among living things and recognize
objects within his or her environment as a means to hunt, gather, and
farm. This ability to categorize nature
was a way of survival and continues to be an extremely important form or
intelligence for today’s outdoorsman: Hunters, Astronomers, Botanists, and Chefs
worldwide; to name but a few (Ghazi, Shahzada, Gilani, Shabbir, & Rashid, 2011). Most naturalists have a curiosity about the
world around them; they enjoy working and playing outdoors, collecting things
from nature, watching natural events, and even enjoy learning about animals and
nature.
This natural sense of curiosity about the world can invoke the
investigative and nurturing approach to understanding human behavior as needed
in the social sciences of psychology. Frequent
use of naturalistic observation in psychological research and other social
sciences involves observing subjects in his or her natural environment; this
type of research, which aids in external validity of a thesis, can be
satisfying for a naturalist.
Furthermore, according to Ghazi, et al. (2011), this intelligence, while
not as strong as other forms of intelligence, has a positive correlation on
academic achievement.
Spatial
Intelligence
According
to Ghraibeh (2012), spatial intelligence, also known as spatial visualization,
is highly suggestive of the imagination and the ability to recognize and
visualize the world internally. Individuals
with spatial intelligence make good Artists (e.g., Painters, Sculptors, and Photographers),
Actors, Scientists (including the social sciences), Engineers, Hunters, and
Foresters (having the ability to navigate through large spatial areas). It is noted that Scientists establish “ideas
and concepts out of visual space not mathematical,” which allows them to use
forethought in predicting results (Ghraibeh, 2012, p. 104). Research indicates that adolescents gifted in
spatial abilities later sought work allowing them to use their hands, such as
in scientific and technical fields (Park, Lubinski, & Benbow, 2010).
The use of spatial intelligence in the social
sciences, including psychology helps to induce mental projections. This ability further allows one to encourage
others through visualization techniques, attention to detail, change, and
harmony. Furthermore, spatial skills aid
with envisioning measurements, such as working with pharmaceuticals.
Interpersonal
Intelligence
Interpersonal intelligence described the
ability to understand, empathize, and engage appropriately with other people
(Kowalski & Westen, 2011). Fortunately for those with a high aptitude of
interpersonal intelligence, this understanding helps them when working with
others (e.g., Teachers, Politicians, Psychologists, and those working in sales)
and in social settings (Ghraibeh, 2012; Kowalski & Westen, 2011). Individuals with high interpersonal
intelligence possess the ability to engage others and respond appropriately to
their needs, which is both a benefit and a value within the social sciences.
A person skilled with interpersonal
intelligence has the increased foresight to listen, embrace, and respond to
others, which is highly desirable in the clinical aspect of psychology. Broken down further, interpersonal
intelligence indicates someone who is good at creating positive relationships
and resolving conflict; as they are apt to listen and respond to emotional ques
(Moran, Kornhaber, & Gardner, 2008). Additionally, interpersonal intelligence
plays a substantial role in personal success through interaction with
others.
Conclusion
Intelligence was long ago defined by
psychologists as “what intelligence tests measure,” it was, is, and will always
remain multifaceted, functional, and culturally defined, thanks, in part, to
Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, p.
271). While Gardner identified eight
types of intelligences, he also theorized that there is an indefinite number of
others. Regardless of the number of intelligences, when an individual
recognizes and fosters his or her natural aptitude of intelligence he or she
also enhances his or her professional proclivity. Although all forms of intelligences can
provide an edge in specific professions, the inclinations to choose a
profession in the science of psychology are naturalistic intelligence (a
science of human and animal behavior), spatial intelligence (a science of the
mind), and interpersonal intelligence (the sum of characteristics of the mental
state and processes). Regardless of how
true that may be, Albert Einstein (1879-1955) once said “The measure of [true] intelligence
is the ability to change” (Goodreads, 2011, para. 10).
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