Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

300 CHAPTER 7 Thinking, Language, and IntelligenceFigure 7.7 Gardner’s MultipleIntelligences Linguistic intelligence Adept use of language: poet, writer, publicspeaker, native storytellerLogical-mathematical intelligence Logical, mathematical, and scientific ability:scientist, mathematician, navigator, surveyorMusical intelligenceAbility to create, synthesize, or perform music:musician, composer, singerSpatial intelligenceAbility to mentally visualize the relationshipsof objects or movements: sculptor, painter,expert chess player, architectBodily-kinesthetic intelligence Control of bodily motions and capacity to handleobjects skillfully: athlete, dancer, craftspersonInterpersonal intelligenceUnderstanding of other people’s emotions, motives,intentions: politician, salesperson, clinicalpsychologistIntrapersonal intelligenceUnderstanding of one’s own emotions, motives, andintentions: essayist, philosopherNaturalist intelligenceAbility to discern patterns in nature: ecologist,zoologist, botanistAccording to Gardner’s model of intelligence, everyone has a different pattern ofstrengths and weaknesses. How would Tom rate? In terms of linguistic, logicalmathematical,and spatial intelligence, Tom would measure very highly. What aboutan “intelligence” that wouldn’t be measured by a standard IQ test, such as musicalintelligence? When I asked Tom what type of music he liked, he couldn’t tell me.Howard Gardner and His Theory ofMultiple Intelligences According toHoward Gardner, many mental abilities arenot adequately measured by traditional intelligencetests. As Gardner (2003) explains,“Different tasks call on different intelligencesor combinations of intelligence.To perform music intelligently involves adifferent set of intelligences than preparinga meal, planning a course, or resolvinga quarrel.” Examples might include thespatial intelligence shown by the complexdesigns of a Navajo weaver, the extraordinarybodily-kinesthetic intelligence oftennis player Roger Federer, and the musicalintelligence of singer Ricky Martin.If I like a song, I like it.If I don’t, I stop listening.I really can’t categorize it.It’s not within my power.Although lacking musical intelligence probably doesn’t affect your ability to functionin our culture, other “intelligences” are much more crucial. Without question,Tom’s biggest shortcoming falls in the realm of interpersonal intelligence. Understandingand relating to other people is extremely difficult for him.In most cultures, the ability to effectively navigate social situations is crucial toat least one aspect of Wechsler’s definition of intelligence: “the ability to dealeffectively with the environment.” Although people with Asperger’s are neitherphysically nor intellectually disabled, their inability to understand and successfully