Brainy Dose

The 9 Types of Intelligence

Intelligence is broken down into 9 types of intelligence, also called the nine domains of intelligence. The theory of multiple intelligences was first theorized by developmental psychologist Howard Gardner, in 1983.

The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

What other scientists thought were only soft-skills, Gardener realized were actually different types of intelligence. As it turns out, being good at math or languages are not the only two ways to be smart! The 9 types of intelligence as theorized by Gardner in his book called Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences is a great tool to find your individual strengths and weaknesses. By learning the theory behind Gardner’s studies, you get to know yourself a little bit better. However, by simply understanding your strengths, it shouldn’t limit you through labeling yourself to a specific intelligence. Instead, it should empower you to recognize your weaknesses, as well as to improve them.

Intelligence is more than being smart

When you hear the word “intelligence,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Do you think of someone with a super high IQ? Someone who’s book smart? Street smart? Intelligence can mean different things to different people. In fact, the word “intelligence” is a fairly broad term. If you want to dive a little deeper into this topic, be sure to check out our videos on How to know if you are Smart as well as The 10 Struggles only Highly Intelligent People have. You may find the information quite useful.

While we may have come to interpret intelligence to mean “smart” and while that is true to an extent, people can be “intelligent” in many different areas. At least according to Gardener’s Theory of multiple intelligences!

So, what are the 9 types of intelligence?

Naturalist (nature smart), Musical (sound smart), Logical-mathematical (number/reasoning smart), Existential (life smart), Interpersonal (people smart), Bodily-kinesthetic (body smart), Linguistic (word smart), Intrapersonal (self-smart), Spatial (picture smart).

We all have strengths and weaknesses in different areas, and have the ability to discover, harness and develop our strengths. Yes, talent is intelligence combined with effort! Many talented people spend a great deal of time honing their intellect until it becomes an apparently effortless endeavor on their part.

To understand your own intelligence, watch this video about the 9 types of intelligence. You’ll be able to have a basic understanding of which intelligence you are strong at. Yes, you may possess multiple intelligences – since most of us have more than one strength in general.