Multiple Intelligences—A Different Kind of Learning Preference

A couple of weeks ago we discussed learning styles—more specifically those styles of Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. I showed you how even Jesus taught in all three of those learning styles. This week I thought I would introduce you to a different type of learning style or learning preference that we discuss in my classes. It’s called the theory of Multiple Intelligences.

The theory of multiple intelligences was an idea derived in 1983 by a Harvard Professor of Psychology named Howard Gardner^[1]. Based on his research he believes that different people have different ways of processing information and different intellectual strengths. Gardner says these strengths are important in knowing how we best learn.

In other words, in discovering what our own individual strengths are (our own multiple intelligences), we can leverage these to enhance our own learning and understanding to be more successful–be it in school, at work, or even spiritual growth. We’ll discuss some strategies we can use to leverage our strengths in order to be more successful. 

See if you can see yourself in any of these descriptions…

Gardner’s Eight Multiple Intelligences:

• Verbal/Linguistic—includes the ability to analyze, use, and manipulate language and words (written or spoken); strengths include reading, writing, telling stories and memorization
• Musical/Rhythmic—includes the ability to use and make meaning out of sounds, rhythms, repetition, and tones; strengths include creating rhymes/rhythms/melodies/songs, singing, and/or playing an instrument
• Logical/Mathematical—includes the ability to reason scientifically, understand and analyze patterns/equations/calculations, and make connections between complex and/or abstract items; strengths include problem-solving, critical thinking, logic, and reasoning
• Visual/Spatial—includes the ability to see relationships between objects and to visual things in the mind; strengths include understanding maps/graphs/charts, making use of images, and creative processes such as designing, crafting, building, etc.
• Bodily/Kinesthetic—includes the ability to connect the mind and body and learning through bodily activity and motion; strengths include good motor skills and controlling movement, using the body to create products, and/or excel in activities requiring physical activity such as medical careers, athletics, performance (dancing, acting, playing music, etc.), military, construction, etc.
• Intrapersonal—includes the ability to be introspective and self-aware including evaluation of one’s own strengths/weaknesses; strengths include self-assessment and knowing oneself (own abilities and limits), predicting one’s own reactions and emotions, and ability to know and set boundaries for oneself
• Interpersonal—includes the ability to utilize empathy and see things from other’s perspectives, discernment and proficiency in reading the people around oneself, and skill in social interaction; strengths include communication with others (both verbal and nonverbal), creating and managing relationships, negotiation, and cooperating within group settings
• Naturalistic—includes the ability to connect with nature, relate information to the natural surroundings, and to recognize and classify things in nature; strengths include understanding patterns in living things (recognize distinct types of plants/animals/geography), feeling nurtured/invigorated in natural surroundings, and excelling in areas such as biological and environmental sciences, gardening/farming, hunting, culinary arts, etc.

A video interview with Howard Gardner on Multiple Intelligences

You can also find more detailed information on Multiple Intelligences here on Wikipedia or via this Edutopia link.

My highest multiple intelligences are Interpersonal and Naturalistic

This is another one of those topics that I didn’t even learn about myself until I started teaching them in my college courses. Now looking back, I can see where I used some of these in my own learning in the past. My 2 highest multiple intelligences are Interpersonal (100%) and Naturalistic (92%), followed closely by Intrapersonal (81%) and Verbal/Linguistic (75%) based on an online assessment that I took a few years ago.

This makes a lot of sense because I remember that I learned so much more in discussion, when I studied in groups with other people, or when I had to “teach” what I was learning to someone else (all examples of the Interpersonal multiple intelligence).

I could see evidence of my Naturalistic tendency, because I remember that my favorite place to read and study was sitting under a tree outside of my apartment. My apartment backed up to a wooded area and a pasture with horses. If I was unable to sit outside, I liked to go to my desk in my room which looked out a window with a view of the pasture and horses.

I’m giggling because even now as I’m typing this post, I’m sitting outside on my front deck beneath the trees listening to birds and smelling gardenias while bees and butterflies buzz around me to my freshly planted spring flowers. I process better when I can connect with nature. When weather permits I also like to do my Bible reading outside, because I connect with God through nature. I’m naturalistic! 🙂

How does this tie in with scripture?

You might be wondering, “Well, how does this tie in with scripture? Don’t you always give a biblical side along with the practical side?” Yes! I’m glad you asked! 😉 The theory of Multiple Intelligences reminds me of how God made us all unique and different on purpose, yet we all work together like parts of a body.

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function” Romans 12:4 (NIV)

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NLT)

Jesus demonstrated all eight multiple intelligences

I also see each of these eight multiple intelligences in the character of Jesus. He was a master of words and had the ability to explain things in stories and parables (Verbal/Linguistic). I don’t know if Jesus was musical, although other prominent godly figures in the bible were like David; however Jesus did demonstrate patterns and repetitions in his teachings (Musical/Rhythmic).

Jesus also had the ability to outwit some of the most intellectual and educated men and leaders of that time with his logic and questioning—He couldn’t be tricked as they often tried to do (Logical/Mathematical)! He could paint pictures with words and get people to imagine things in their minds as he was teaching, and he gave visual examples (Visual/Spatial). Additionally, he used his body to give hands-on demonstrations, heal the sick, and cast out demons, and he was also a carpenter (Bodily/Kinesthetic).

We know Jesus was very introspective and knew his own limits as we constantly saw him taking time to go away by himself to pray (Intrapersonal). Then, Jesus was extremely interpersonal, if nothing else, as we see his love and heart for people—His ministry was ALL about serving and interacting with people (Interpersonal). Lastly, I see evidence of Jesus connecting with nature in his agricultural and nature-based parables and analogies, in addition to his frequent stealing away to nature–to the wilderness, to a mountain, on a lake/sea, to an olive grove (Naturalistic).

Take Some Practical Steps to Utilize and Leverage Your Preferred Multiple Intelligences:

• First, assess and/or discover your preferred multiple intelligences. You could try an online search to look for a free assessment.

Note: You may score high in more than one. Remember, I scored high in Interpersonal, Naturalistic, Intrapersonal, and Verbal/Linguistic. Getting a high or an even score across multiple modalities just indicates that you can process information well across a variety of avenues.

• Utilize some Verbal/Linguistic strategies.

  • Make use of reading materials or find supplemental readings
  • Learn and/or teach principles using analogies or stories
  • Ask lots of questions
  • Take notes, make outlines, and recite information
  • Teach someone else a concept that you’re trying to learn

• Utilize some Musical/Rhythmic strategies.

  • Listen to music while learning
  • Take music breaks
  • Create rhymes and/or rhythms out of what you’re learning
  • Put material to songs you already know
  • Find rhythms/patterns in your material
  • Use repetition

• Utilize some Logical/Mathematical strategies.

  • Organize information logically and sequentially
  • Turn what you are trying to learn into a problem, formula, or puzzle to solve
  • Create outlines to see steps
  • Find patterns, develop systems, and analyze information
  • Use critical thinking

• Utilize some Visual/Spatial strategies.

  • Make graphs, charts or drawings out of what you are learning
  • Draw mind maps
  • Use color and highlighting
  • Visualize new material in your mind
  • Doodle and draws lines and arrows between ideas to create connections

• Utilize some Bodily/Kinesthetic strategies.

  • Be physically active while learning new material
  • Develop models or hands-on examples out of what you are learning
  • Act out what you are learning
  • Move fingers under words you are reading
  • Design a game out of new material

• Utilize some Intrapersonal strategies.

  • Study alone or in quiet settings
  • Conduct self-assessments to check your progress
  • Reflect on the personal meaning of information
  • Keep a journal
  • Connect new material to something you already know
  • Set boundaries for yourself

• Utilize some Interpersonal strategies.

  • Work, study, and interact with other people or in groups
  • Discuss information
  • Welcome and give feedback
  • Teach what you are learning to someone else
  • Participate in mentoring and tutoring
  • Try to think from varying perspectives

• Utilize some Naturalistic strategies.

  • Connect with nature when learning
  • Go outside to work or study
  • Take breaks to walk outside
  • Relate new material to natural things
  • Use nature as a writing topic to become more engaged
  • Play nature sounds in the background

Which of these multiple intelligences do you see yourself in? Share them with us by leaving a comment below.

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1. Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Basic Books, 1983. ↑