Do you ever feel like your intelligence is only measured by tests and grades? It’s easy to feel this way, especially when standardized tests like the GRE, MCAT, and SAT only assess our mathematical and linguistic abilities. But there are more than two ways to be smart.
Back in the 1980s, Dr. Howard Gardner, a professor of education at Harvard University, contemplated the range of skills that humans use in life and the problem-solving and creative abilities that are valuable to society. That’s when he coined the term “multiple intelligences” and determined that humans demonstrate at least eight categories of smarts.
The theory of multiple intelligences refers to the way our brain can work in many different ways. Recognizing which of these intelligences are our strengths (and which ones we might need to work on) can help us succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
What are the multiple intelligences?
You’re…
A whiz at reading, writing, and maybe even public speaking.
You…
Use words effectively to tell a story, explain a topic, or convince others of an idea, either in speech or writing.
Natural career fits
Journalist, lawyer, marketing consultant, politician, social media manager, writer/editor
You’re…
Constantly solving puzzles, like calculating how much tip everyone needs to pitch in for the pizza or deconstructing the fallacies in presidential candidates’ arguments.
You…
Use numbers effectively (e.g., to solve math problems) and pay close attention to patterns, relationships, and reason.
Natural career fits
Accountant, actuary, computer programmer, database designer, doctor, engineer, mathematician, website coder
You’re…
A master of video games, constructing objects from a kit, or mentally rearranging spaces.
You…
Think in terms of physical space while being very aware of your environment, both indoors and outside.
Natural career fits
Architect, artist, physicist, civil engineer, game designer, interior decorator, outdoor guide, urban planner
You’ve…
Got great dance moves, a steady hand when crafting, or a natural talent for sports.
You…
Use your own body to express feelings or ideas, or use your hands to transform things.
Natural career fits
Actor, athlete, carpenter, craftsperson, dancer, jeweler, mechanic, personal trainer/fitness instructor, sculptor, surgeon
You’re…
Always playing an instrument, singing, or creating the best playlists.
You…
Understand, create, or express music or sound in its various forms.
Natural career fits
Conductor, DJ, music critic, musician, singer, sound engineer, speech therapist, talent agent
You’re…
The first person your friends come to for advice, and one of the last people to leave a social event.
You…
Understand the moods, intentions, feelings, and motivations of other people and know how to handle social situations effectively.
Natural career fits
Business administrator, hotel or restaurant manager, nurse, psychologist, public relations agent, salesperson, social worker, teacher
You’re…
Self-aware, self-motivating, adaptable, and enjoy thinking about short- and long-term goals.
You…
Understand your strengths, biases, and limitations and make decisions based on your goals and interests.
Natural career fits
Business owner, entrepreneur, career coach, consultant, counselor, psychologist
You’re…
Adept at recognizing the living things around you, like the tree species that grow in your neighborhood and which birds live in them.
You…
Pay special attention to species and natural phenomena in the environment (e.g., flora and fauna, cloud formations, mountains) or apply that same lens to the urban environment.
Natural career fits
Anthropologist, botanist, biologist, conservationist, environmental lawyer, florist, geologist, veterinarian, wildlife expert
You’re…
Sensitive and reflective, and use principles of metacognition to guide your decision-making.
You…
Constantly seek answers to “big” questions, like the meaning of life and what we can contribute during our time on the planet.
Natural career fits
Artist, behavioral scientist, meditation coach, pastor, start-up founder, writer, yoga instructor
Note: While existential intelligence isn’t part of Gardner’s official list of intelligences, in recent years, many education professionals have acknowledged it as an additional type of intelligence.
Type of intelligence | Skills and strengths | Natural career fits
Linguistic | reading, writing, public speaking | journalist, lawyer, marketing consultant
Logical-mathematical | math, patterns, reasoning | accountant, engineer, computer programmer
Spatial | constructing items, interior design | architect, game designer, urban planner
Bodily-kinesthetic | sports, movement, dexterity | athlete, personal trainer, sculptor
Musical | creativity, artistic expression | musician, sound engineer, speech therapist
Interpersonal | socializing, giving advice, intuition | psychologist, social worker, teacher
Intrapersonal | self-awareness, adaptability, decision-making | business owner, consultant, entrepreneur
Naturalistic | affinity for nature, animals, and wildlife | biologist, environmental lawyer, veterinarian
Existential | sensitivity, inquisitiveness | artist, behavioral scientist, yoga instructor
Here’s how different types of intelligence might look in your day-to-day life
- That time you intervened in the awkward conflict that popped up during your group project? Your interpersonal instincts helped everyone get comfortable.
- Rocked that presentation with integrated graphics and tools? Props to your spatial intelligence.
- When you spot the flaws in other people’s arguments (whether or not you agree with them), you’re demo-ing logical-mathematical skills.
- When your improvised guitar solo lifted your band’s performance? Bravo—you have musical strengths.
- Remember your winning soccer goal? Thank your bodily-kinesthetic abilities.
- Do others admire your self-motivation? That’s a vital intrapersonal skill.
Build your life goals around your strengths
Different careers require different skills. “People who are able to use their strongest intelligence(s) at work are more likely to be successful,” says Dr. Thomas Hoerr, author of Becoming a Multiple Intelligences School and Scholar in Residence at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. “That’s not to say that we can’t improve skills in [multiple types of] intelligence—we can. But it does mean that we will find more success and pleasure when we work in areas in which we have strengths.”
Don’t neglect some of the weaker areas
At the same time, “success” (however we define it) doesn’t necessarily depend on just one or two life skills. “Obviously, some [careers] rely heavily on a particular intelligence, but most require a balance of several [types],” says Dr. Mindy L. Kornhaber, associate professor in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Pennsylvania State University. If you are relatively weak in areas that are broadly relevant to productivity and happiness, like interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, look at how you can build those up.
Multiple intelligences test: Business Balls
Which intelligences are you especially good at?: Lifehack
Career choices based on your intelligence strengths: LinkedIn
Theory of multiple intelligences explained (video): Practical Psychology
Methods for improving intelligences (video): Practical Psychology
Article sources
Thomas R. Hoerr, PhD, author, Scholar in Residence, University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Mindy L. Kornhaber, associate professor, Department of Education Policy Studies, Pennsylvania State University, State College.
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Gardner, H. (2011). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences (3rd ed.). Perseus Books Group.
Gardner, H. (2020, July 8). A resurgence of interest in existential intelligence: Why now?. Howard Gardner. https://www.howardgardner.com/howards-blog/a-resurgence-of-interest-in-existential-intelligence-why-now
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National Academy of Sciences. (2011). Assessing 21st century skills: Summary of a workshop. National Academies Press (US). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK84217/
Terada, Y. (2018, October 15). Multiple intelligences theory: Widely used, yet misunderstood. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/multiple-intelligences-theory-widely-used-yet-misunderstood
Uttal, D. H., Meadow, N. G., Tipton, E., Hand, L. L., et al. (2013). The malleability of spatial skills: A meta-analysis of training studies. Psychological Bulletin, 139(2), 352–402. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028446