Howard Gardner’s

Multiple IntelligencesEight Ways of Being Smart

By Heather Towery DavisEDU 325Fall 2010

November 3, 2010

Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence

Characteristics:

• Enjoy telling jokes and stories.

• Books are of importance; enjoys reading.

• Listens to music, TV, radio often.

• Enjoys writing; comes naturally.

• Quotes things read.

• Enjoys crosswords and word games.

Logical/Mathematical Intelligence

Characteristics:• Solves math problems with ease.• Enjoys math and computers.• Enjoys strategy games.• Curious as to how things work.• Use of logic in problem solving.• Likes to reason things out.• Enjoys the use of data.

Visual/Spatial Intelligence

Characteristics:

• Thinks in pictures.

• Can find their way around unfamiliar places.

• Enjoys books with pictures, maps, & charts.

• Enjoys movies and photographs.

• Likes color and interesting designs.

Musical Intelligence

Characteristics:• Likes listening to music.• Sensitive to sounds/music.• Easily remembers tunes.• Listens to music while studying.• Enjoys singing.• Can keep time to music

and does so subconsciously.• Has a good sense of rhythm.

Kinesthetic/Bodily Intelligence

Characteristics:• Can not tolerate sitting long

periods of time.• Touchy-feely.• Uses hand gestures while speaking.• Enjoys working with hands.• Well coordinated.• Learns better by doing rather than by

watching.

Interpersonal Intelligence

Characteristics:

• Has many close friends.

• Enjoys working in groups.

• Comfortable in a crowd.

• Has empathy for others.

• Can interpret others’ feelings.

• Other people look to these for advice.

• Prefers team sports.

Intrapersonal Intelligence

Characteristics:• Understands personal feelings,

strengths, and weaknesses.• Enjoys learning about themselves.• Enjoys being and working alone

(sometimes).• Has self-confidence.• Thinks about things and plans

what to do next.

Naturalist Intelligence

Characteristics:• Enjoys spending time

in nature.• Likes to classify things.• Happiest when outdoors.• Sees details when looking at plants, trees,

and flowers.• Knows the names of various plants, trees,

and flowers.• Can hear bird and animal sounds clearly.