How Are You Smart? Understanding the 8 Types of Intelligence (2024)

Intelligence is broadly defined as the ability to acquire and then apply knowledge and skills. Because of this, we tend to think of intelligence as a single trait, or a single ability. General intelligence being narrowed further to two letters: IQ.

But in order to describe a trait that encompasses more than a single cognitive function, such as intelligence, we need to broaden the way we understand and define what intelligence is.

In 1983, Dr. Howard Gardner set out to do just that. He developed and wrote Theory of Multiple Intelligences, where he broke intelligence into eight distinct types.

While Gardner doesn’t define intelligence differently, he allows for intelligence to be defined through a wide range of cognitive abilities. He argued that how individuals learn shapes their intelligence. Where previous intelligence testing and education focused largely on linguistic and logical, Gardner argued that forcing one type of learning on all students’ limited success on a broad spectrum.

Gardner believed that we all have the eight types of intelligence within us, however, we have a dominant intelligence type. By leaning into the way we learn, we can expand how we learn, which can then strengthen the other types of intelligences as well. Rather than type-casting individuals into one subset or another, Gardner wanted to expand learning and empower learners.

Visual-Spatial

Individuals with visual-spatial intelligence think in terms of the space surrounding them. These are the navigators, the architects, the pilots, and race car drivers. They can visualize space in interesting and dynamic ways. Chess players tend to be visual-spatial in their ability to look at the board and the pieces, and visualize moves several turns into the future.

Visual-spatial individuals can design gardens or homes, or apply their abilities to more artistic endeavors such as painting. They can see different angles, visualize fine details, and tend to excel in face or scene recognition. In this capacity, they’re also attuned to investigative roles, as noticing details that are off will stand out to these individuals.

Bodily-Kinesthetic

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence is also known as physical intelligence. These individuals learn through movement. Because of the direct relation to the body, these types of individuals tends towards athleticism but are also attracted to acting. These individuals work with their bodies, expressing and learning through their tactile senses.

Outside of athleticism, individuals with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence will learn better when they can add movement and physical exertion to their studies. Individuals with this intelligence will likely be successful in physical careers, such as military roles, police officers, actors, dancers, and musicians.

Musical-Rhythmic and Harmonic

While individuals with musical-rhythmic and harmonic intelligence will tend towards musical inclinations. But more than a focus on music, these individuals are sensitive to the components of what make up music and rhythm. Pitch, meter, tone, rhythm, melody, and timbre. They may also be naturals when it comes to singing, learning musical instruments, and in some cases, be gifted with perfect pitch.

However, it should come as no surprise that these individuals can also find talent in poetry, though that can also take the shape of song writing. No matter what career they find themselves in, they will always find the natural rhythm in their environment.

Verbal-Linguistic

Verbal-linguistic intelligence is master and command of language. These individuals show a propensity for not just reading and writing, but are strong orators as well. The focus is often on the verbal aspects, however, because these individuals use written and verbal language to achieve their goals, they are also strong problem-solvers and show a talent at abstract thinking.

Beyond reading and writing, understanding languages and memorization are also skills that come easier to individuals with this type of intelligence. These individuals can be lawyers, journalists, teachers, speakers, and trainers. They control their words, crafting precise arguments or powerful stories.

Logical-Mathematical

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the realm of logic, numbers, reasoning, and critical thinking. This is the type of intelligence we most closely associate with a generalized intelligence as logical cognition is considered a cornerstone of reason.

This type of intelligence is fundamentally precise. These individuals will find careers as scientists, engineers, financiers, and accountants. They find order in formulas but often can see connections in abstractions leading to breakthroughs or revelations in their given fields.

Interpersonal

Interpersonal intelligence is marked by a high sensitivity to others and an innate ability to connect. They are effective communicators and are highly empathetic. In essence, these individuals have strong social skills and are masters of skills like persuasion, active listening, and delegation.

These individuals make good teachers and counselors. They are able to both lead and follow, enjoying engagement in debates. Other careers this type of intelligence will tend towards are management and sales.

Intrapersonal

Intrapersonal intelligence is more introspective. These individuals are self-reflective and have a deep understanding of the self. Instead of searching for outside answers first, intrapersonal intelligence tracks their own feelings and reactions. They understand what triggers them and why, and are good at managing situations because of this.

These individuals make good managers and therapists. They are calm, cool, and collected under pressure. They’ll often find themselves leading groups and are natural business leaders because of their ability to master their own selves.

Naturalistic

Added in 1995, naturalistic intelligence is this ability to see the world in all its complexities. These individuals are able to nurture the intricacies in their environment and are in tune with understanding details of the natural world. They are able to perceive the world holistically, and understand their role as part of a greater global citizen.

Individuals who tend towards naturalistic intelligence seek to be productive within the natural world. They work within nature as farmers but can also find interest in categorizing the world in fields such as biologists, geologists, and botanists. But they can also be zoologists and veterinarians, working with animals big and small.

Conclusion

When it comes to intelligence, there are many levels and layers we’re still discovering. While Gardner designed this system to help individuals learn their primary intelligence, he did so only as a way to help people understand the different ways we can see and approach the world. Learning is a multi-layered, sensory experience, and we all learn in different ways.

When examining these intelligence types, we’ll find that they all fit in one aspect or another. While we may have a dominant type, or experience several dominant types, there may be one or two we never use at all.

These are best applied in understanding how we learn best. Perhaps we learn through rhythm or logic. Maybe we find we retain information best through reading or relating to the natural world. However we are able to absorb new information, knowing our intelligence type can help us unlock even more learning potential, allowing us be operate at our cognitive best.