Gardner defines intelligence as the ability to solve problems or fashion products that are appreciated in at least one culture or community. Therefore intelligence may refer to anything from what a refrigerator repairman does to what a network analyst does. While we may not care that a chair could be made from coconuts, someone in another culture could value that as a highly regarded skill and classify it as intelligence.

His theory of multiple intelligences challenges the entire IQ theory, that intelligence can be summed in one number, the Intelligence Quotient. He says that each intelligence has a separate index that is independent of the others. For example, whether someone has a high level of musical intelligence has no bearing on his linguistic intelligence. Theoretically, each intelligence can be measured, but a precise measurement would require an extremely long test. Also, each individual has a separate set of intelligent indexes that are unlike that of others.

Reforms in Education

With his theory, Gardner is pushing for reforms in the way students are taught and tested. Currently tests such as the SAT and even IQ test the logistical-mathematical and linguistic intelligences, ignoring the others. Many educators, whether inadvertently or not, take the same approach and focus on the logical-mathematical and the linguistic intelligences. So a child with higher levels of spatial or interpersonal intelligences may not be getting as much out of school as a linguistic learner to whom the educational system is geared towards.

While he does advocate more personalized instruction, he does not advocate teaching material in nine ways, or separating the students into classes according to his own strength in intelligence. Gardner merely desires a better understanding of the differences. If one student turns in a particularly bad essay or project, he might not be particularly gifted in his linguistic abilities and would not be entirely to blame for consistently scoring low on his essays.

But all is not hopeless for the person who is linguistically behind, or unable to grasp spatial concepts. Each intelligence can be strengthened (or weakened), but to different degrees and with different amounts of effort. Each intelligence index simply measures a different potential level, not an absolute amount.

Gardner is also the co-director of Project Zero [link to pzweb.harvard.edu], a program that promotes the enhancement of thinking, learning, and creativity. This program focuses on the arts, as well as on the humanities and sciences, but altogether serves to cultivate these types of intelligences that are normally not considered intelligences by many. Using his intelligence theories, this program is quickly being used in classrooms in the United States.

Criticisms

Some people deny Gardner's claim of interpersonal and intrapersonal as intelligences. They say that it is merely a personality trait or some other behavior that has nothing to do with intelligence. Others say that many of his "intelligences" are merely special talents as opposed to intelligences, bringing the discussion back to the original disputes about the definition of intelligence. However, it is true that his theory of multiple intelligences is quickly gaining popularity, especially in school instruction.

II. The types of multiple intelligences
1. Logical-Mathematic: Likes to think of cause and effect connections and understand relationships; good at calculating, reasoning, and problem-solving. Works best by categorizing and with abstract patterns and relationships. The math people.
2. Linguistic: Thinks in words and uses language well, including order, sounds, and rhythm of words. Learns by saying, hearing, and seeing words. Good readers, writers, and speakers.
3. Musical: Likes to sing, listen to music, and play instruments. They are the people that can play a tune by simply hearing it, tell if someone is off-key, and is good at keeping time on an instrument. There is a strong connection between music and emotions.
4. Spatial: Thinks in pictures and in correct three-dimensional proportions. Tends to daydream and has lots of imagination. Works well with objects; they are artists and architects.
5. Bodily-Kinesthetic: Uses body language and is well-coordinated; they like to move around and are good at sports, dancing, and other activities that involve balance. They also use their hands well, and are those that are good at making crafts.
6. Interpersonal: This person is able to "put him/herself in the other person's shoes." They can recognize differences among people and are sensitive to their moods and motives. They have lots of friends, get along with others, and make good leaders. They work best by sharing and cooperating.
7. Intrapersonal: This person is more introverted and tends to work alone in his/her own space, to achieve personal goals. Able to control and regulate feelings, moods, and behaviors. These people are aware of their own ideas and abilities, and tend to be original.
8. Naturalist: Gardner discovered this new intelligence in 1996. These people are able to interact with nature and can classify species, individuals, and other natural occurrences. They are good with animals and plants, and excel in the sciences, including cooking, weather, and physics.
9. Existentialist: This is a newly discovered intelligence, and there has not been a substantial amount of research yet. Also referred to the spiritual intelligence, it is the ability to understand one's surroundings and place in the grand scheme of things.