Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner's `Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences' is a fascinating book that helps to explain how and why different people seem to learn in different ways and possess different skills and talents. Gardner's main thesis throughout the text is that there is not one thing called intelligence, but rather several different types of intelligence that work together (or, sometimes, play together) inside each person's overall intellectual development and structure. Gardner begins his discussion with an overview of the idea of multiple intelligences. The idea of different kinds of intelligence is hardly new, as Gardner concedes, but that idea having been formed, it is rarely carried forward save by the most innovative of teachers and thinkers. Why does a person, for instance, remember particular teachers from elementary or secondary school days rather clearly, while others not at all? Beyond the subject matter and interest, there is a manner of teacher connecting with the student that taps into dominant and active kinds of intelligence, despite the subject matter at hand. Potential Isolation by Brain Damage This establishes an autonomy of the function of a particular kind of intelligence from others, thus helping demonstrate uniqueness and separation. The Existence of Idiot Savants, Prodigies, etc. That certain kinds of intelligence can be highly developed in some to an extraordinary level also helps demonstrate uniqueness - for instance, rarely is the musical genius likewise a genius in all (or even many) other intellectual areas. An Identifiable Core Operation or Set of Operations There must be something that the intelligence processes or does in a particular way differently from others - for example, we process mathematical information and linguistic information in different ways. Distinctive Development History Intelligence, even if gifted naturally, has a development line that can be traced from earlier to later proficiency. Evolutionary History and Plausibility Intelligence can evolve to higher levels (this is readily seen in science and mathematics); likewise, intelligence can be lost in different arenas. Experimental Data Support Intelligences can be isolated and studied - linguistic and spatial abilities are often used as experiments easily documented. Psychometric Finding Support While the IQ test is hardly the final arbiter, there are ways of materially charting the relative state of intelligences of people in comparison with one another. Susceptibility to Symbolic Expression Intelligences should have a means of symbolic expression and transmission - linguistic intelligence can use words spoken and written; musical intelligence can use written and sound symbols, etc. Using these criteria, Gardner proposes the following list of intelligences, alerting the reader that while this list is broad and encompasses much of human intelligence, it is not an exhaustive list. Linguistic Intelligence Musical Intelligence Logical-Mathemat

Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences is very solid and well-thought but his writing is long and arduous. I would have enjoyed this book so much more if he had a better editor. If Gardner is writing to the educational theorists then perhaps they will wade through the drudgery, but these ideas are worthy of the general public.

I love this book for two reasons: 1) Howard Gardner explains his profound ideas very clearly; 2) The ideas widened the way I thought about intelligence. Gardner takes something we take for granted (a monolithic logical-mathematical that shapes western civilization) and explains how it is inadequate in describing the mind. He doesn't so much as destroy Piaget's map of the mind as he does go farther and illuminate things that Piaget did not see. It is a fascinating thought experiment to imagine how many different ways civilizations can be shaped by the 7 intelligences: imagine seven different worlds (perhaps designed by Lewis Carroll) that instead of all being dominated by logical-mathematical intelligence, each had their root in one of the seven intelligences. I can't say enough about this book. It will definitely make you think.

This book should be read and adopted by all educators. If more schools used this concept, I am convinced we would have more creative and intelligent adults in 20 years. Gardner is truly a genius in our time.

Everyone who interacts with children on any level will find this work priceless. It provides adults with a knowledge base which will facilitate the cultivaion of each child's talent(s). Chapter 13 allows parents to critically reflect on exactly how their child(ren) are being educated. This is crucial, as Gardner forces us to make choices about each individual child's learning environment. Thank you for closing the door on the prevalent "sit down and copy this work without a sound" mentality. Gardner's sensitivity to different forms of intelligence shows respect for the different cultural priorities and values which in essence shape human ability, and form our global village.