|
|
| Meet
your amazing brain |
123 |
|
The second is logical or
mathematical intelligence: our ability to reason and calculate.
This is most developed in scientists, mathematicians, lawyers, judges.
Traditionally, most so-called
intelligence tests have focused on these two talents. And much schooling
around the world concentrates on those two abilities. But Gardner says
this has given us a warped and limited view of our learning potential.
He lists the other main distinct intelligences as:
Musical intelligence:
obviously highly developed in composers, conductors and top musicians,
from Beethoven to Louis Armstrong;
Spatial or visual intelligence:
the kind of ability used by architects, sculptors, painters, navigators
and pilots - what the current authors would argue are, in fact, two
separate forms of intelligence.
Kinesthetic intelligence or
physical intelligence: very highly developed in athletes,
dancers, gymnasts and perhaps surgeons;
Interpersonal intelligence:
the ability to relate to others - the kind of ability that seems natural
with salesmen, motivators, negotiators.
And intrapersonal intelligence
or introspective intelligence: the ability of insight, to know oneself -
the kind of ability that gives some people great intuition. The kind of
ability that lets you tap into the tremendous bank of information stored
in your subconscious mind.
But these are not merely arbitrary
functions that Professor Gardner has invented for a Ph. D.dissertation.
He says brain surgery and research have shown that some of these
"intelligences" or abilities are located in distinct parts of
your brain. Severely damage that part and you could lose that ability. That
is why strokes can affect the ability to walk or talk, depending on
which part of the brain is affected.
Professor
Gardner now considers there is another intelligence:
"naturalist": the ability to work with and harmonize with
nature. The two current authors consider this might better be grouped
with several other types of learning styles, which we cover in chapter
10.*
* Professor
Gardner's model does not cover what we consider one of the most
important "intelligences" of all: the ability to create
totally new concepts by linking together information from different
parts of the brain - as we cover in chapter 5. Many modern thinkers,
such as British Professor Charles Handy, say there are several other
intelligences, such as plain common sense. But Professor Gardner's
research is a brilliant starting point for designing schools that cater
to different abilities and learning styles.
Contents
Page Preface
Introduction
|
