Vector of two human heads made of gears with light bulb shape inside | multiple intelligences
Read time: 8 min

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.

types of intelligence infographic | multiple intelligences

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.

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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.

Armstrong, T. (2009). Multiple intelligences in the classroom (3rd ed.). Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development. 

Darling-Hammond, L. (2010). Performance counts: Assessment systems that support high-quality learning. Council of Chief State School Officers. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED543057.pdf 

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 

Hambrick, D. Z., & Chabris, C. (2014, April 14). Yes, IQ really matters. Slate. http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/04/what_do_sat_and_iq_tests_measure_general_intelligence_predicts_school_and.html 

Hampshire, A., Highfield, R. R., Parkin, B. L., & Owen, A. M. (2012). Fractionating human intelligence. Neuron, 76(6), 1225–1237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2012.06.022 

Hiss, W. C., & Franks, V. W. (2014). Defining promise: Optional standardized testing policies in American college and university admissions. National Association for College Admissions. http://www.nacacnet.org/research/research-data/nacac-research/Documents/DefiningPromise.pdf 

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