The Wall Street Journal has published a short article commemorating the book in which psychologist Howard Gardner announced his theory of the “multiple intelligences”: Frames of Mind (1983). [I’d recommend starting with Gardner’s 2000 sequel: Intelligence Reframed].
This WSJ article is light-hearted, though it makes some serious points along the way. It reads as though the writer had an epiphany when he finally realized that multiple intelligence theory does not hold that every child is a genius. Gardner’s theory doesn’t hold that all children are equally capable. Rather, MI theory holds that there are many ways to measure intelligence (at least nine major ways, according to Gardner) and that these multiple intelligences don’t meaningfully meld into any sort of all-purpose single score. Gardner’s main point is that the traditional alleged all-purpose intelligence rating (think of the score of an old-fashioned IQ test) that many educators have traditionally labelled general intelligence is a real world fiction that stigmatizes many children who are brilliant in many ways that society values highly, though they might not excel at math or reading.
In sum, there are a variety of ways in which children (and adults) excel or flounder, and we are better off recognizing a reality-based multi-scale spectrum rather than jamming all of our children under a single scale that measures only few of the well-substantiated intelligences recognized by Gardner:
[Gardner] noted that, while some parents might recoil from an intelligence theory that brings so many into the fold, others might dislike that it opens up new vistas in which their children prove to be below average. I hadn’t thought about that. Contrary to popular misperception, Mr. Gardner explained, MI [multiple intelligence] theory doesn’t mean that every child is outstanding at something. Some children can be below average at everything. My heart sank. . . Alas, here was the kindly Harvard psychology professor hinting that, while there are more avenues to genius, there are also more opportunities to prove oneself stupid.
[Note: There is an excellent grade school in my city (St. Louis, Missouri) that utilizes a curriculum based on Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory: New City School. ]
I've read bits and pieces of the theory, heard interviews with him and some other supporters from Harvard, and I think it's a terrific advance that's been far too slowly adapted. Sure, some parents will balk at their children being labeled in any way that doesn't make him look like a shining star, but knowing his strengths and weaknesses will allow more targeted teaching that will work better for the child. I know that some early-learning teacher training programs already include information on how to identify different learning styles to help teachers direct their lessons more effectively. Add in an understanding of different intelligence types, and classes can be more effective and orderly. Plus, instead of children failing over and over because they can't overcome an inherent weakness, they'll be able to take pride in succeeding in their strong areas.
The problem with assessing children is that there are distinct and basic physiological mental changes that occur with
That might all belie early aptitude/intelligence test results. Unless, of course, the results are used to carefully control what a child has access to; limiting him (it? <sup>him</sup>/<sub>her</sub>?).
If the tests are used to detect special abilities for advanced education/training, fine.
If the tests are used to decide who not to bother with, not so good.
Brooke McEldowney (author of comics such as Pibgorn and 9 Chickweed Lane) recently published a strip defining "Public Education" as The bureaucratic process of replacing an empty mind with a closed one.
(See the original before March 22, '08)
I'd hate to have multiple intelligence testing used as a tool in this process.
Here is a 2004 paper in which Howard Gardner sets forth more detail on his theory of the multiple intelligences. The title: "Frequently Asked questions – Multiple Intelligences and Related Educational Topics."
I'm a consultant, and need to engage with (and teach) people in all walks of life, from many different educational backgrounds and with the entire gamut of abilities.
I've often found that traditional approaches to 'change management' and communication are extremely limited, and follow time-worn pedagogical pathways. Alternate approaches that leverage peoples 'multiple intelligences' do work in my experience.
Certainly since re-discovering his theory in the late 90's, I've found myself re-assessing my own communication style to better suit the real multiplicity of people: rather than talk to their 'stupid' facets, I try to engage their intelligent ones!
It makes for a lot more work for me – and requires to to leverage others in the creation of materials (to counter my own 'low intelligence areas'!) So it also benefits repeatability (communication requires documentation which ensures longevity of knowledge)
In the end the benefits greatly outweigh the costs. I find I think more broadly about the mechanism of communication, and assess the results more correctly. I also find that my 'students' have greater success in acquiring the new knowledge, or change. I also have a greater body of knowledge and material upon which to build subsequent engagements.
On a very personal note – I was shocked(!) to discover that I wasn't a super genius in every facet of human endeavor! I guess I won't be getting that Nobel, after all, the Pulitzer will just have to wait, and I'll never be in any 'hall-of-fame'. C'est la vie!
My kids go to a school based on Gardner's approach (New City School, in St. Louis). One thing that occurred to me is that Gardner's theory is a double-edged sword (as you suggest). Yes, many of us have some learning strengths. But in other ways, we are ALL special needs students.
Here's some pointed criticism of Howard Gardner's theory of the multiple intelligences, by Christopher Ferguson of the Chronicles of Higher Education. In Ferguson's view "The theory of multiple intelligences fundamentally conflates intelligence and motivation."
Ferguson proposes sticking with a simpler definition of intelligence: "Intelligence: an innate cognitive ability that powers learning. Perfect? No. But that's basically it." Why is "g" (general intelligence) the way to go?
Here is another excerpt from Ferguson's article:
http://chronicle.com/free/v55/i39/39ferguson.htm
More on the Ferguson article:
As I read the Chronicles article, I noticed that Gardner anticipated many of these arguments long ago. That's why Gardner worked so hard to define intelligence. Gardner would find Ferguson's definition reductionist, I assume. It's like trying to define one's grandma in terms of sub-atomic particles.
Ferguson is also obsessed with the need for intelligence to be "innate." I think that Richard Nisbett's new book demolishes that obsession (re the twin studies). Those problems aside, Ferguson's suggestion that ALL displays of intelligence are powered by "cognitive ability" is uninteresting to me, arguably tautological.
Christopher Ferguson: “Intelligence: an innate cognitive ability that powers learning."
Compare to Gardner's definition of intelligence, which is far more useful in the real world, and isn't obsessed with innateness, which is an additional (warranted) benefit, in that it doesn't lock people into who someone else defines them to be. It gives many of us (not all) the ability to retool, to become experts in 10,000 hours, etc. It is not elitist . . .
Here's Gardner's definition of intelligence: [from http://www.howardgardner.com/FAQ/FREQUENTLY%20ASK… ]