Garder Multiple Intelligence

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

Psychologist of Harvard University, Howard Gardner, defined ‘Intelligence’ as; A biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture. Howard Gardner proposed that the entire human species possesses not just one single type of intelligence, but rather many different intelligences. Gardner suggested that there are 8 categories of intelligence: Linguistic, Bodily-Kinaesthetic, Visual-Spatial, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Naturalistic. Howard Gardiner calls these intelligences, Multiple Intelligences. He also states that everyone possesses parts of these eight intelligences, but not everyone has the same amount of each. For example, both individuals have Linguistic Intelligence however one may have a higher intelligence than another in this same category. Gardiner also suggested that these intelligences come from different specific parts of the brain. The aim of the experiment is to determine what types of multiple intelligences an individual possesses. It is hypothesised that Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Activity will accurately predict which intelligence the participant is stronger in, and which intelligences the participant is weaker in.
METHOD
Materials:
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Procedure:
• On the activity sheet, tick which box accurately applies as your answer to the specific question. Keep doing this until all questions are answered as correctly as possible.
• When you have finished your questions, add up the total number for each type of intelligence. The highest score is the intelligence you are stronger in, and the lowest score is the intelligence you are weaker in.

RESULTS
Results for this experiment are in the Appendices (in a graph and table).

DISCUSSION
The activity did accurately predict which intelligences this particular participant had strengths and weaknesses in. According to the participant, Spatial Intelligence was indeed her highest ability and Logical Mathematical was her lowest. A possible extraneous variable could be mood on that particular day of the activity. If a participant is having a day of low self esteem, they could rate themselves lower than they normally would. Another possible extraneous variable could be the fact that the activity is self assessed. Participants may have a warped view of themselves, thus scoring themselves inaccurately. These findings cannot be related to the wider population as every human being is different, and as this activity is self assessed not everyone is going to have the same outcome due to different personalities.

REFERENCE LIST
Van Iersel, H. Bradley, K. Coon, D. Kendall, K. Koerner, J. Nailer, S. Pringle, R. Rossborough, A. (2009). Nelson Psychology VCE Units 1&2. Australia: Cengage Learning Australia Pty Limited.