Introduction to Psychology

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perform well at specific jobs, and these abilities may not always be highly correlated with
general intelligence (Sternberg, Wagner, & Okagaki, 1993). [17] On the other hand, these abilities
or skills are very specific to particular occupations and thus do not seem to represent the broader
idea of intelligence.


Another champion of the idea of multiple intelligences is the psychologist Howard Gardner
(1983, 1999). [18] Gardner argued that it would be evolutionarily functional for different people to
have different talents and skills, and proposed that there are eight intelligences that can be
differentiated from each other (Table 9.1 "Howard Gardner’s Eight Specific Intelligences").
Gardner noted that some evidence for multiple intelligences comes from the abilities ofautistic
savants, people who score low on intelligence tests overall but who nevertheless may have
exceptional skills in a given domain, such as math, music, art, or in being able to recite statistics
in a given sport (Treffert & Wallace, 2004). [19]


Table 9.1 Howard Gardner’s Eight Specific Intelligences
Intelligence Description


Linguistic The ability to speak and write well


Logico-mathematical The ability to use logic and mathematical skills to solve problems


Spatial The ability to think and reason about objects in three dimensions


Musical The ability to perform and enjoy music


Kinesthetic (body) The ability to move the body in sports, dance, or other physical activities


Interpersonal The ability to understand and interact effectively with others


Intrapersonal The ability to have insight into the self
Naturalistic The ability to recognize, identify, and understand animals, plants, and other living things


Source: Adapted from Gardner, H. (1999). Intelligence reframed: Multiple intelligences for the 21st century. New
York, NY: Basic Books.

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