As an alternative to the usual global notion, Howard Gardner identified nine types of intelligence, to which I have reluctantly added a tenth. He defined intelligence as the ability to learn and to solve problems, where each sub-type of intelligence applies in a different domain. Gardner saw the traditional idea of intelligence as over-valuing academic skills, ie verbal and logical prowess, at the expense of other human potentials. He thought we should value the abilities of people who are not regarded as intelligent according to conventional IQ tests. The good news is that each of us has the chance to shine in one or more of the abilities identified. Although I am not 100% convinced by his idea, I think it has considerable merit, especially for teaching. It suggests that different people should be taught using different modalities.
There have been many criticisms of the traditional IQ test, so much so that some psychologists have absurdly resorted to defining intelligence as "what IQ tests measure". Gardner argues that the IQ test only measures verbal and logical intelligence, ignoring and hence devaluing the other types. I think that the IQ test does not really measure verbal and logical ability either. Some people have a facility for doing tests, puzzles and exams, ie they have good exam technique. This may be due to extensive experience of similar tests, which is not indicative of their intelligence. Others freeze up in the exam situation or find multiple choice tests alien to their way of thinking. In addition, the sort of questions given in IQ tests are necessarily of the closed type, not the open-ended problems that we encounter in the real world. This is a crucial difference. On top of that, they are necessarily superficial compared to the actual problems that one faces in learning a language or in solving mathematical problems. It is quite possible that Newton or Einstein would not do well in a conventional IQ test.
(1) Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence
This involves well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds and meanings of words. The person has a large vocabulary and is adept at learning languages. The skills involved are listening, speaking, story telling, writing, and teaching. Suitable careers are journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, translator.
(2) Mathematical-Logical Intelligence
This includes the ability to think conceptually and abstractly, logical ability, and the capacity to discern logical, causal or numerical relationships. The person is good at critical thinking and solving logical problems and puzzles. Suitable careers are scientist, engineer, accountant, mathematician, programmer.
(3) Practical Intelligence
This involves being intelligent in a practical sense. It entails having common sense, ie sound judgement concerning everyday matters. It includes the capacity to be flexible and resourceful in practical matters, especially improvising workable solutions, fixing and making things, as well as good organisation and planning. Careers are personal assistant, mechanic, plumber, carpenter, builder or any other trade.
(4) Musical Intelligence
This is the ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch and timbre. Skills include singing, playing instruments and composing music. Careers involve music.
(5) Visual-Spatial Intelligence
This is the capacity to think in images and to visualize accurately. Skills include painting, constructing, fixing, and design. Careers include artist, inventor, architect, mechanic, engineer, photographer.
(6) Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
This means having fine control of one's body movements and handling objects skillfully, including good hand-eye coordination. Skills include agility, craftsmanship, dancing, sports, and acting. Careers include athlete, PE teacher, dancer, carpenter, actor, firefighter, police officer, builder.
(7) Interpersonal Intelligence
This is the capacity to perceive and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations and desires of others. It includes the ability to communicate effectively. Skills include seeing others' perspectives, empathy, counselling, co-operating. Careers include counsellor, salesperson, politician, business person, minister, manager, teacher, social worker.
(8) Intrapersonal Intelligence
This is the capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs and thinking processes. It means giving emotions their proper place in the scheme of things, including as guides to behaviour. Introspection gives understanding of the self, including one's strengths and weaknesses. Skills include recognising the workings of one's own mind, reflection, and awareness of deeper feelings. Careers include researcher, theorist, philosopher, psychologist.
(9) Naturalist Intelligence
This is the ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals, rocks and other objects in nature. The person recognises their connection to nature and applies science theory to life. Their powers of observation are highly developed. Careers include scientist, landscape architect, environmentalist, farmer.
(10) Existential Intelligence
This is the sensitivity and breadth of vision to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, what is the self, and what is enlightenment. It can also be seen as intelligence in the spiritual realm of transcendence and deepest meanings. Skills include introspection, reflection, deep thinking, and the design of abstract theories. Careers include scientist, philosopher, theologian, meditation teacher.
Discussion
Looking at the recommended careers, it might appear that the choices are limited for most types of intelligence. However, we should not fall into the trap of thinking that each person exhibits just one type of intelligence, nor that they are constrained by the options mentioned. In common with all general schemes, the notion of multiple intelligences is only a rough guide that cannot capture the complexity of a person's capabilities. Life and the human mind are far more complex and messy than any system we can devise.
What about emotional intelligence? I define it as the capacity to be aware of one's emotions as well as those of other people, and to handle them intelligently. In addition, it is the ability to use emotions as guides to appropriate behaviour and thinking, especially in the context of relationships. It also means giving emotions their due importance. In Gardner's scheme it is a combination of inter- and intra-personal intelligence. However, Gardner has omitted some of the key emotional factors, so I have added them to the description of intrapersonal intelligence.
Another possible candidate is creative intelligence, the ability to think up novel solutions in various problem domains, whether in art, science or practical matters, such as cooking, dressing, hobbies or work. A synonym for creative thinking is lateral thinking. However, one could argue that each of the ten types includes the notion of being creative in the specific domain.
A caveat is that there seems to be no way of knowing whether Gardner's analysis covers the full spectrum of human intelligence. In fact, I added practical intelligence to his list, as it seemed a glaring omission. It is interesting that practical intelligence or common sense escaped Gardner's purview. It probably passed under the radar because it is so ordinary and prosaic, not to mention common! Or rather, supposedly common. For my part, I have always had a genuine respect for people who know how to remove a rusted screw, repair a shoe or fix an engine. Yet how do we know that even the expanded list is complete? There are many specific abilities not covered by the ones identified above, such as skill at computer games, chess ability, sports cunning, comic talent, orienteeering abilities and many others. Are some of these abilities possible candidates for another variety of intelligence?
Gardner's analysis has been criticised for confusing abilities with intelligence. What is the difference? An ability in a particular domain means that one quickly and easily picks up the necessary skills and that one's intuition works well in that domain. The difference is probably that intelligence is something more wide-ranging than a facility in a particular area. So it seems that ability and intelligence shade into each other, with no clear demarcation. Cognitive abilities can be trained and improved whereas intelligence is like the native and untrained capacity of our brain. Then again, brain plasticity suggests that we should not regard intelligence as being fixed and static.
I am not fully convinced about the break up of intelligence into ten discrete compartments. The different types are inter-related and as mentioned above, one could argue that there are additional types.
The role of memory
It is important to stress that knowledge and experience can be easily mistaken for intelligence. We all tend to follow our strengths and in so doing we deepen our knowledge of the areas we find congenial. Memory plays a key role in each of the different types of intelligence, as it is impossible to do anything intelligently if your memory fails you. Each of the ten domains requires a different kind of memory.
To be able to think logically we need to be able to hold all the elements of the problem or situation simultaneously in our mind.
Practical intelligence requires remembering the best ways to use tools and materials.
Musical intelligence requires a specific kind of recall in order to play a piece from memory.
Visual-spatial intelligence requires a good memory for images and designs.
Bodily intelligence requires muscle memory.
Interpersonal intelligence requires remembering personal qualities and particulars.
Intrapersonal intelligence needs the ability to recognise patterns of thought and feeling when these recur.
Naturalist intelligence is based on observation and recall of details of natural phenomena.
Existential intelligence requires the ability to remember what you or other people have discovered, or else you would be going around in circles or reinventing the wheel.
Getting smart
Mario Puig states that each intelligence is like a window that can be opened or remain closed. He thinks each of us can open all of the windows, at least to an extent. To open a window we need to be energised and to receive support so that we do not fear venturing into the unknown.
Finally, any analysis of intelligence has to confront the conundrum of Donald Trump: that a man can be supremely cunning and a brilliant persuader of people despite being, clearly, a total idiot.