Multiple Intelligence

Times ago it was asked, "How intelligent is he?"

Today we ask, "In what way is he intelligent?"

A freely-translated quote by E. Jensen

• Every person has a certain level in all types of intelligences.
• Every person has the potential to develop further in all types of intelligences.
• Every person has a unique combination of all types of intelligences that work together in a unique way.
• There is unlimited amount of characteristics and opportunities for every type of intelligence, and therefore there are no exact criteria for saying that a person is truly intelligent in one or the other type of intelligence.

Knowing about types of intelligences helps us in at least 4 ways:

1. We can focus on developing our intelligences in a more aware way.
2. We can use different intelligences in different situations in a more aware way.
3. We can get to know ourselves more.
4. We can understand others more.

Here is a brief overview of 8 main different types of intelligences that were suggested by Howard Gardner, the author of the Multiple Intelligence theory.

In progress. Estonian version coming soon, too!


Intrapersonal Intelligence

It means a person's ability to know and manage oneself. A person with well-developed intelligence of this type is connected to her/his feelings and thoughts and can express them adequately. (S)he is interested in the world inside her/him, likes to analyse her/himself, may keep a diary or observe her/himself closely in other ways. (S)he likes to think about her/his life and has strong internal motivation, the skill to set goals which are realistic and ambitious and achieve them through skillful planning.


A person with well-developed intrapersonal intelligence often

• Is independent, has own opinion about things
• Knows her/his thoughts and feelings, and is able to express them
• Knows her/his strengths and areas for development
• Knows the things (s)he can do independently and where (s)he needs help
• Can do well with independent studying
• Has strong will and is persistent
• Has her/his own hobbies or interests, with which (s)he deals with by her/himself
• Respects her/himself
• Dreams, thinks about her/himself and her/his life

Naturalist Intelligence

It is a person's ability to differentiate and recognise natural objects - plants, animals, clouds, landscapes etc, and create organised systems of them in her/his imagination. A person with well-developed intelligence of this type likes to be in nature and feels connected to it. (S)he notices changes in nature. Besides that, this person is also sensitive to human-made objects and identifying their characteristics.

A person with well-developed naturalist intelligence often

• Likes to be outside and feels good in nature
• Notices changes in weather and the environment
• Likes to be with and take care of animals, birds, plants
• Asks about the causes and effects of natural phenomena
• Is sensitive to environmental protection
• Decorates her/his room with natural materials
• Explores and knows the nature around her/his home
• Knows the main features of things (for example: faces, car types etc)

The overview has been prepared based on the trainings by Ms Koidu-Tani Jürisoo.