How intelligent are you? Your answer probably depends on some kind of test score, something that labeled you early on as either gifted or average (or perhaps not that sharp).
Fortunately, the question is inherently not so simple.
In 1989, Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner described nine types of intelligence:
- Word smart
- Number smart
- Picture smart
- Sound smart
- Body smart
- People smart
- Self smart
- Nature smart
- Life smart
What other scientists thought were just soft skills, such as interpersonal abilities, Gardner realized were actually legitimate types of intelligence. It makes sense—just as a math whiz might be able to understand the world of physics, someone who is “people smart” is likely to understand and thrive in the worlds of sales and entertainment.
If you’re interested, here are more detailed descriptions of Gardner’s types of intelligence:
Linguistic (“word smart”): These people like to argue, persuade, entertain and instruct. They can find the right words to express what they mean. Think writers, politicians, and comedians.
Logical-mathematical (“number smart”): those who are good at reasoning, calculating, thinking in terms of cause and effect, creating hypotheses, and finding patterns. They are drawn to arithmetic, strategy games, and experiments. They like to be prove things and be right. Think mathematicians, scientists, and detectives.
Spatial (“picture smart”): People who can think in 3D such as artists, pilots, architects, and sailors.
Musical (“sound smart”): These individuals have a knack for discerning sounds, pitch, tone, rhythm, and timbre.
Bodily-kinesthetic (“body smart): People who can control their bodies and handle objects carefully (e.g. athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople).
Interpersonal (“people smart”): Those who can understand and work well with others. They can sense people’s feelings and motives and are often compassionate and socially responsible (or, on the flip side, manipulative and cunning). Think teachers, actors, and salespeople.
Intrapersonal (“self smart”): Those who can understand their own thoughts, feelings, and desires. Psychologists, spiritual leaders, and others in touch with themselves use this knowledge to set and achieve personal goals.
Natural (“nature smart”): Those who can recognize different kinds of plants and animals, make important distinctions in the wild, and use this knowledge productively. Think farmers,
hunters, chefs, and Navy Seals.
Existential (“life smart”): Those who like to tackle the deep questions: what is the meaning of life? why are we here? what happens when we die? Philosophers, poets and priests fall into this category.
Each of these intelligences is unique and important. Unfortunately, IQ tests and schools generally only focus on mathematical and linguistic intelligence. They praise the algebra whizzes and the Scrabble players and relegate those who don’t fit the mold to “regular” classes and sub-par teachers.
It’s a fact that many truly brilliant people think they’re not, because they’ve been put into a box and judged according to a particular view of the mind. Good news is, we know intelligence isn’t about how many facts you can memorize or how well you can do on a standardized test— this is a dangerous belief that limits the potential of so many students. Instead it’s about how you think and how well you can deal with new situations and learn from your mistakes, an ability that is hard to pinpoint and differs from person to person.
If you’re curious about what kinds of smart you are, take some time to ponder what you just read. You may realize you have more intelligences than you previously thought or than people have told you.
If you can’t win with the cards you have, move to a different table. It’s never too late to rediscover your talents. You are not stupid. No one is.