8/14/2019 How Multiple Intelligence Theory Reveals Opportunities for Personal Growth

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How Multiple Intelligence Theory Reveals Opportunities for Personal Growth

So, how intelligent are you?

If the question makes you a little uneasy, then you are like most people.

Very few topics in our culture are as talked about with as little understanding asthe issue of intelligence. This is true because while it’s easy to assume we know

what intelligence means, it’s actually extremely difficult to define.

The truth is many types of intelligence exist yet are not supported or celebratedby traditional education or society. It’s for this reason that many people neverput their natural skills or talents to good use.

Try for yourself to define intelligence, and you’ll find out just how elusive itreally is.

Does a high academic achiever, scientist or intellectual possess intelligence?What about someone who is a musical virtuoso, or someone who appears to makefriends with anyone and everyone with great ease? What about the person whoeffortlessly picks up anything athletic?

The latest research suggests that all of the examples given above represent onetype of intelligence. In fact, research by Howard Gardner of Harvard Universitysuggests that there are at least nine different types of intelligence:

1. Verbal/Linguistic2. Musical/Rhythmic3. Visual/Spatial4. Logical/Mathematical5. Bodily/Kinesthetic6. Interpersonal7. Intrapersonal8. Naturalist

9. Existentialist In his book Frames of Mind Gardner states:“I regard Multiple Intelligence theory as a ringing endorsement of three keypropositions:• we are not all the same;• we do not all have the same kind of minds (that is, we are not all distinctpoints on a single bell curve); and• education works most effectively if these differences are taken into accountrather than denied or ignored.” To put Gardner’s comment another way, we would say: “Life works most effectivelywhen differences are taken into account rather than denied or ignored.”

Differences in the way we perceive the world is a key concept of The Vega RoleFacilities Theory® (VRFT) which categorizes the various ways people perceive intosix distinct Perceptual Styles. These six styles define the way people take ininformation through their five senses and make that information meaningful.Perceptual Style acts as a filter between sensation and understanding. It is atthe core of who a person is, and it impacts their values, beliefs, feelings, andpsychology. We use VRFT as a skills assessment tool to make career, skills andpersonality assessments.

Both Multiple Intelligences and VRFT theories recognize the important

8/14/2019 How Multiple Intelligence Theory Reveals Opportunities for Personal Growth

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understanding that we’re not all the same and that the differences between usbring great rewards when they’re accepted and celebrated. We also acknowledge thatmany of types of intelligence are not supported by traditional education, whichusually recognizes only two of the nine types (Verbal/Linguistic andLogical/Mathematical).

Try this. Take seven minutes and reflect on the nine different types ofintelligence discovered by Gardner listed above.

• Which of them ring true for you?• Think of some examples in your experience.• Do any represent an arena in which you are uncomfortable?• Can you think of some examples?

Make the decision to explore the concept of multiple intelligences more completelyto discover areas where some of your natural potential may be hidden. There maybe some excellent opportunities for personal growth.

Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology,behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned hisdoctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional

Psychology – Berkeley. He’s the co-founder of Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., aconsulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills andtalents. www.vrft.com