These days IQ is increasingly being used to screen job applicants and evaluate students. However, IQ is also being challenged. Many feel it is a ineffective and misleading indicator of true intelligence.
A Deeper Intelligence
Lets say your kid comes home with a bad score on his/her multiplication test. There are many possible explanations:
a. your child lacks intelligence
b. your child did not study
c. your child may benefit from a different study approach
d. your child may be gifted in other ways
e. your child may even be looking at the multiplication questions at a fundamentally deeper level
In some cases, what looks like slowness is really just a deeper understanding.
Multiple Intelligence
In the 1980s developmental psychologist Howard Gardner introduced the theory of Multiple Intelligence.
Multiple Intelligence is an attempt to explain the different types of human intelligence. It goes beyond logical reasoning -- and exposes the weakness of IQ testing.
According to the theory there are nine types of intelligence:
1. Spatial
The ability to visualize with the mind's eye and judge spacial characteristics. A spatial person is good at puzzles, art and design.
2. Linguistic
Language ability. Important for writers, philosophers, journalists, teachers and politicians.
3. Logical-mathematical
Important for mathematicians, scientists, engineers and doctors.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic
The intelligence that controls bodily movement. Important for athletes, actors, performing artists, musicians, doctors, police officers, and soldiers.
5. Musical
6. Interpersonal
Sensitivity to others' feelings and motivations and ability to communicate, cooperate, influence and lead. Important for sales people, teachers, politicians, executives and social workers.
7. Intrapersonal
Self-reflective capacities -- having a deep understanding of the self. Important for philosophers, innovators, theologians and writers.
8. Naturalistic
Ability to understand the natural world. Important for naturalists, farmers and veterinarians.
9. Existential
Ability to contemplate phenomena or questions beyond the senses. Important for physicists and philosophers.
The Multiple Intelligence theory does not claim to be complete and recognizes there may be additional types of intelligence.
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