Multiple Intelligences
Multiple Intelligences theory developed by Dr. Howard Gardner, psychologist, researcher and professor at Harvard University, winner of the Prince of Asturias Award in 2011, lays the foundations for a new educational challenge since it recognizes that the concept of intelligence may not be considered as a fixed and determined set of specific abilities that some people have and others do not, but rather understands that intelligence is a network of autonomous but interrelated abilities, each of them being evidenced through the different skills and talents that we show. For that reason, everyone is different, there are not intelligent and unintelligent people, but people with one type of more developed type of intelligence or another. (Theory of Multiple Intelligences, n.d.).
At ISP we offer students learning opportunities related to these intelligences, based on the aptitudes that each child has, with the intention of guiding them and helping them to develop those in which they excel and that in the future might be very useful to them, thus responding to an individualized and personalized education typical of a bilingual school with personalized instruction and a focus on high potential.
At first, Howard Gardner’s theory established eight types of intelligences. However, later on, other authors complemented the concept and added four more intelligences, so that nowadays it is established that there are twelve types of intelligence:
- Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence. It is characterized by the ability to learn languages easily, to speak and write in a remarkable way and to have a high understanding of language. This type of intelligence is manifested in writers, poets, journalists, lawyers and political leaders, among others.
- Logical-mathematical intelligence. It refers to the ability to perform non-verbal abstract reasoning, an essential characteristic in mathematicians, scientists and engineers, among others.
- Musical Intelligence. It consists of perceiving, understanding, distinguishing and following rhythmic patterns, an aptitude that is evident in composers, musicians and singers.
- Spatial Intelligence. It entails the ability to handle abstract spatial commands, which is fundamental to efficiently interpret maps, coordinates and orientations. It is a common quality in architects, designers, photographers, advertisers and pilots, among others.
- Kinesthetic Corporal Intelligence. It is manifested in the coordination of body movements and in the skill to create elements through the hands, being highly appreciated in athletes, dancers, crafters, plastic artists, surgeons, etc.
- Intrapersonal Intelligence. It emphasizes the recognition of one’s own emotions and feelings, a capacity very present in reflective people, such as psychologists, philosophers and theologians, among others.
- Interpersonal Intelligence. Facilitates the establishment of affective bonds with others, allowing them to recognize their emotions and show empathy. This intelligence is characteristic of psychologists, teachers, lawyers and social workers.
- Naturalistic Intelligence. It refers to the ability to observe and understand the relationships of nature and the environment, an outstanding quality in biologists, landscapers, gardeners and ecologists.
- Existential Intelligence. It is related to the ability to question one’s own existence, death, life and human psychology, being common among great scholars and philosophers.
- Creative Intelligence. It is evidenced in the ability to develop innovative projects, standing out in entrepreneurs and creators of artistic products.
- Emotional Intelligence. It allows controlling emotions in such a way that emotional well-being, self-motivation and stress reduction are achieved; a distinctive ability of great salespeople.
- Collaborative Intelligence. It implies the ability to work in a team in an optimal way, a quality highly valued in the business world because it reflects high levels of leadership.
