PSYCHOLOGY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING :: MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THEORY

The Nature-Nurture Controversy, it talks about the influence of Nature or Nurture on an individual. Nature versus nurture debate of which factor effects the human development. The nature versus nurture debate involves whether human behaviour is determined by the environment, either prenatal or during a person's life, or by a person's genes. Nature is what we think of as prewiring and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors. 

Definitely the influence of Nature plays an important role but parallel to this Nurture also develop the qualities. Human mind post birth is like a blank slate or like wet cement, what ever is introduced onto becomes a part and parcel for lifetime. This is one of the very reasons why early education is stressed upon. 

Now though, as we have come to truly understand the complexity of the relationship between our genetic dispositions and environmental triggers, we no longer focus on one versus the other, but rather the way they interact with and affect each other. While it is certainly helpful in the development of certain conditions for there to be a genetic disposition, there almost always needs to be an environmental trigger that causes the characteristic to manifest in an individual.

As we know human development is never similar for every individual. In my previous blog I have discussed about 'Growth' 'Development' and 'Maturation'. How they are different from each other and the different rates at which they happen in the lifetime of human development. Every individual is unique, special and different from other. All our lives are connected by the bond of humanity but our lives move with different pace.

During my first year as a preschool teacher, I got into the habit each Friday afternoon of sitting in the class and grading papers and writing observations. I had been assigned playgroup and later nursery classes. After a year working for primary and secondary classes, my observation came to a wonderful understanding of an unexpected benefit which attracted me towards being an educator rather than going back to MNC as a Pharmacist. A couple of those kids in my class who struggled mightily with subject-verb agreement and the concepts of biology, had clearly committed several dozen complex things to memory. 

During one particularly impressive series of classes, I remember thinking, "These guys are really smart! I'm underestimating what they're capable of!" And over the course of my first year post maternity break in the classroom, that same thought emerged several more times at the school’s  musical sessions, sports session, other co-curricular activities and even just watching a couple of students after school hours. 

Without me personally realizing it, my relationship with multiple-intelligences (MI) theory had begun.

Every individual differ from the other on the basis of some potentialities. Everyone is blessed with some inner qualities that takes him/her to a different goal. One of the responsibilities of a parent is to even identify the potentialities of the kid and to motivate him/her in the following direction. In today's world of knowledge explosion we are talking about the same hidden potentialities rather in other terms as intelligence. 

Intelligence is often defined as our intellectual potential; something we are born with, something that can be measured, and a capacity that is difficult to change. 

In recent years, however, other views of intelligence have emerged. One such conception is the theory of multiple intelligence proposed by Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner. He theorizes that people do not have just an intellectual capacity, but have many kinds of intelligence, including musical, interpersonal, spatial-visual, and linguistic intelligences. While a person might be particularly strong in a specific area, such as visual-spatial intelligence, he or she most likely possesses a range of abilities. For example, an individual might be strong in verbal, musical, and naturalistic intelligence.

THEORY OF MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE

Gardner first outlined his theory in his 1983 book "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, where he suggested that all people have different kinds of "intelligences."  His book began with some simple but powerful questions: Are talented chess players, violinists, and athletes intelligent in their respective disciplines? Why are these and other abilities not accounted for on traditional IQ tests? Why is the term intelligence limited to such a narrow range of human endeavours?

 

From these questions emerged multiple-intelligences theory. Stated simply, it challenges psychology's definition of intelligence as a general ability that can be measured by a single IQ score. Instead, MI theory describes eight intelligences that people use to solve problems and create products relevant to the societies in which they live.

MI theory asserts that individuals who have a high level of aptitude in one intelligence do not necessarily have a similar aptitude in another intelligence. For example, a young person who demonstrates an impressive level of musical intelligence may be far less skilled when it comes to bodily-kinesthetic or logical-mathematical intelligence. Perhaps that seems obvious, but it's important to recognize that this notion stands in sharp contrast to the traditional and still dominant view of intelligence as a general ability that can be measured along a single scale and summarized by a single number.

Gardner proposed that there are eight intelligences and has suggested the possible addition of a ninth known as "existentialist intelligence."

Gardner captured the full range of abilities and talents that people possess.

1. VISUAL-SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE:

People with strengths in good visual-spatial judgement. People who are strong in visual-spatial intelligence are good at visualizing things. These individuals are often good with directions as well as maps, charts, videos, and pictures. People with good visual-spatial intelligence enjoys reading, writing, putting pieces of puzzles together, drawing, painting, visual-arts, directions, graphs, charts and patterning. The best career choices would be Architect, Artist and Engineer.

2. LINGUISTIC-VERBAL INTELLIGENCE:

People with strengths in use of words, language and writing. People who are strong in linguistic-verbal intelligence can use words well, both when writing and speaking. These individuals are typically very good at writing stories, memorizing information and reading. People with this intelligence are good at remembering written and spoken information. They enjoys reading and writing. They are good at debating or giving persuasive speeches. They are able to explain things well. They often uses humor when telling stories. The best career choices would be Writer/Journalist/ Blogger, Teacher and Lawyer.

3.LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGENCE:

People with strengths in analyzing problems and mathematical operations. People who are strong in logical-mathematical intelligence are good at reasoning, recognizing patterns, and logically analyzing problems. These individuals tend to think conceptually about numbers, relationships, and patterns. People with this intelligence have excellent problem-solving skills. They enjoys thinking about abstract ideas. They likes conducting scientific experiments. They are good at solving complex computations. The best career choices would be of a Scientist, Mathematician, Computer programmer, Engineer and Accountant.

4. BODILY-KINESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE: 

People with strengths in physical movement and motor control. Those who have high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence are said to be good at body movement, performing actions, and physical control. People who are strong in this area tend to have excellent hand-eye coordination and dexterity. People with this intelligence are good at dancing and sports. Enjoys creating things with his or her hands. Have excellent physical coordination and tends to remember by doing, rather than hearing or seeing. The best career choices would be Dancer, Builder, Sculptor and Actor.

5. MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE:

People with strengths in rhythm and music. People who have strong musical intelligence are good at thinking in patterns, rhythms, and sounds. They have a strong appreciation for music and are often good at musical composition and performance. They enjoys singing and playing musical instruments. They recognizes musical patterns and tones easily. They are good at remembering songs and melodies. They have rich understanding of musical structure, rhythm, and notes. The best career choices would be Musicians, Composer, Singer, Music teacher and Conductor.

6. INTERPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE: 

People with strengths in understanding and relating to other people. Those who have strong interpersonal intelligence are good at understanding and interacting with other people. These individuals are skilled at assessing the emotions, motivations, desires, and intentions of those around them. People with this intelligence are good at communicating verbally. They are skilled at nonverbal communication. They see situations from different perspectives. They create positive relationships with others. They are good at resolving conflict in groups. The best career choices would be Psychologist, Philosopher, Counsellor, Salesperson and Politician.

7. INTRAPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE:

People with strengths in introspection and self-reflection. Individuals who are strong in intrapersonal intelligence are good at being aware of their own emotional states, feelings, and motivations. They tend to enjoy self-reflection and analysis, including daydreaming, exploring relationships with others, and assessing their personal strengths. They are good at analyzing others strengths and weaknesses. They enjoys analyzing theories and ideas. They have excellent self-awareness. They clearly understands the basis for their motivations and feelings. The best career choices would be Philosopher, Writer, Theorist and Scientist.

8. NATURALISTIC INTELLIGENCE:

People with strengths in finding patterns and relationships to nature. Naturalistic is the most recent addition to Gardner’s theory and has been met with more resistance than his original seven intelligences. According to Gardner, individuals who are high in this type of intelligence are more in tune with nature and are often interested in nurturing, exploring the environment, and learning about other species. These individuals are said to be highly aware of even subtle changes to their environments. It includes people interested in subjects such as botany, biology, and zoology. People good at categorizing and cataloguing information easily. People with naturalistic intelligence May enjoy camping, gardening, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. They doesn’t enjoy learning unfamiliar topics that have no connection to nature. The best career choices would be Biologist, Conservationist, Gardener and Farmer.

Education these days, in the fast changing world demands the absolute learning for a successful life. Earlier the competition was less among individuals, now the scenario is vice versa. We as educators need to teach the children on one side about academics for their holistic development and on the other side there lies a huge responsibility of nation building. Achieving so many objectives is possible only if both Parents and Teachers work parallelly towards a similar goal!!!