Multiple Intelligence: Biography Of Gardner & Principles

Howard Gardner is a developmental psychologist best known for their Theory of Multiple Intelligences. He believed that the conventional concept of intelligence was too narrow and restrictive and that measures of IQ often miss out on other "intelligence" that an individual may possess.

His 1983 book Frames of Mind, outlined his theory and his nine major types of intelligence. Gardner's theory had a particular impact in the field of education where it inspired teachers and educators to explore new ways of teaching aimed at these different bits of intelligence.

"We have this myth that the only way to learn something is to read it in a textbook or hear a lecture on it. And the only way to show that we've understood something is to take a short-answer test or maybe occasionally with an essay question thrown in. But that's nonsense. Everything can be taught in more than one way," Howard Gardner has suggested.

Brief Biography of Howard Gardner

Howard Gardner was born on July 11, 1943, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He described himself as "a studious child who gained much pleasure from playing the piano." He completed his post-secondary education at Harvard, earning his undergraduate degree in 1965 and his PhD in 1971.

While he had originally planned to study law, he was inspired to study developmental psychology by the works of Jean Piaget. He also cited the mentoring he received from the famous psychoanalyst Erik Erikson as part of the reason why he set his sights on psychology.

"My mind was really opened when I went to Harvard College and had the opportunity to study under individuals—such as psychoanalyst Erik Erikson, sociologist David Riesman, and cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner—who were creating knowledge about human beings. That helped set me on the course of investigating human nature, particularly how human beings think," he later explained.

Howard Gardener's Awards

Principles of Multiple Intelligences Theory:

Intelligence is not singular: intelligence is multiple.
Every person is a unique blend of dynamic intelligence.
Intelligence varies in development, both within and among individuals.
All intelligence is dynamic.
Multiple intelligences can be identified and described.
Every person deserves opportunities to recognize and develop the multiplicity of intelligence. The use of intelligence can be used to enhance intelligence.
Personal background density and dispersion are critical to knowledge, beliefs, and skills in all intelligence.