The term “multiple intelligences” was coined in the 1980s by a Harvard professor, Howard Gardner. He clarified what intelligence was and put forward a theory he called the multiple intelligences theory. The theory refuted the traditional lines of defining intelligence and ways to increase and develop it. Intelligence has many facets and is not measured by the possession of knowledge alone.
Gardner’s theory is that every person possesses different types of intelligence and for each one, there are distinct qualities. The use of a type contributes to its development and expansion, independently of the other types and could in fact help to develop one of them.
The pressing questions now are: What are the types of intelligence? How can we identify and classify them?
Gardner listed eight types of intelligence. The first is linguistic intelligence which is everything related to the spoken and written language. The second is the logical-mathematical intelligence and the third “musical intelligence”. The two are followed by “spatial intelligence” which is related to imaginative and creative conception which is important to painters, sculptors, designers and architects. There is also what Gardner termed “bodily-kinesthetic intelligence” which is concerned with a person’s awareness of his body and its ability to move. This type is manifested in athletes and dancers. Three types remain: The first is inter-personal intelligence found in salespeople, businessmen and counselors. Then there is “intra-personal intelligence” — philosophers, researchers and theorists. Gardner’s last group is “naturalist intelligence” which is related to nature and how it is perceived and dealt with.
The essence of Gardner’s theory is that humans possess many types of intelligence at one time and that they are all equally important. What concerns us is how to identify the facets of our intelligence and develop and hone them. In reality there are standardized tests to identify mental abilities and score it.
In the Arab world, however, up to now there has been no comprehensive test scientifically codified and sanctioned by the body undertaking its production and development. There are some local tests available in Arab countries but they have not been approved; furthermore, the tests are usually used in organizations dealing with people with special needs. This kind of test then is not within the grasp of everyone which leaves us with another method that is important and accurate — follow-up and analysis of perceptions. Any person can use it on himself to look back at his achievements and failures and search for areas where he excels and where the phenomenon has been studied seriously and objectively without bringing luck into the picture study. He may then be able to find out the type of intelligence and develop it in a manner that harmonizes with his aptitude.
We are now left with one problem exposed by the theory of multiple intelligences and it is modern education methods. The system of education in underdeveloped countries is bidirectional; in other words, only two sides of human intelligence are emphasized and concentrated on. The two kinds are inguistic and mathematical. Consequently, the other types dwindle and decline because what motivates them are absent or marginalized in one way or another.
Furthermore, a student possessing neither linguistic nor mathematical intelligences finds nothing to move his spirit and spur him to learn. So he usually fails and leaves school. The result is that in countries with bidirectional educational systems — such as Arab ones — schools graduate students with atrophied minds or minds that are boxed in and incapable of anything innovative or new.
Once again, scientific facts and educational theories prove that a single measurement and a single way in education do not suit all categories, nor does it harmonize with different natures. It is high time to stop producing the herd of stereotyped students that annually leave our Arab schools, colleges and universities. A society in which the people do not enjoy multiple intelligences and colorful thought will remain forever cast buried in both metaphorical and actual darkness.
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(Wajeha Howaider is a program analyst at Aramco. She holds an MA in Reading Management from George Washington University.)
Arab News Features 3 January 2003
