Multiple Intelligence

TheoryChristina Shoemaker

Holly Smith

MSN 6501 Advancement in Nursing Science

Multiple Intelligence (MI) Theory

Howard Gardner in 1983 identified eight categories of Howard Gardner in 1983 identified eight categories of learning strategies:learning strategies:

Linguistic (language)Linguistic (language)

Logical-Mathematical (thinking and reasoning/use of numbers)Logical-Mathematical (thinking and reasoning/use of numbers)

Visual-Spatial (learning through graphic images)Visual-Spatial (learning through graphic images)

Bodily-Kinesthetic (wisdom/controlling physical motion)Bodily-Kinesthetic (wisdom/controlling physical motion)

Musical (ability to recognize sounds)Musical (ability to recognize sounds)

Interpersonal (person to person communication, group work)Interpersonal (person to person communication, group work)

Intrapersonal (self reflection and awareness)Intrapersonal (self reflection and awareness)

Naturalistic (recognize patterns in nature and classify objects)Naturalistic (recognize patterns in nature and classify objects)

Purpose of MI Theory

Gardner argued that an individual could not be sufficiently Gardner argued that an individual could not be sufficiently tested regarding intelligence alone– a wide variety of tested regarding intelligence alone– a wide variety of specific human abilities must be taken into account, “it is specific human abilities must be taken into account, “it is not how smart you are, but how you are smart.”not how smart you are, but how you are smart.”

Gardner found that “it would certainly be desirable to have Gardner found that “it would certainly be desirable to have an algorithm for the selection of an intelligence, such that an algorithm for the selection of an intelligence, such that any trained researcher could determine whether a any trained researcher could determine whether a candidate's intelligence met the appropriate criteria. At candidate's intelligence met the appropriate criteria. At present, however, it must be admitted that the selection present, however, it must be admitted that the selection (or rejection) of a candidate's intelligence is reminiscent (or rejection) of a candidate's intelligence is reminiscent more of an artistic judgment than of a scientific more of an artistic judgment than of a scientific assessment.” assessment.”

(Gardner, (Gardner, Frames of Mind: The Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Theory of Multiple

Intelligences, 1985)Intelligences, 1985)

Components Effected by MI Theory

Gardner defines intelligence as “the ability to solve a Gardner defines intelligence as “the ability to solve a problem or fashion a product which is valued in one or problem or fashion a product which is valued in one or more cultural settings.”more cultural settings.”

CultureCulture

LanguageLanguage

EducationEducation

BackgroundBackground

ExperiencesExperiences

MI Theory Research

Gardner's initial work was focused on helping Gardner's initial work was focused on helping students with attention deficit disorders or students with attention deficit disorders or students with brain injuriesstudents with brain injuries

Classroom: Provides strategies for problem Classroom: Provides strategies for problem solving by using different learning styles.solving by using different learning styles.

Educational curriculum based on this theoryEducational curriculum based on this theory

Gardner’s research is based on helping Gardner’s research is based on helping individuals understand their intelligence, individuals understand their intelligence, rather than labeling and ranking.rather than labeling and ranking.

Applied ResearchVerbal/linguistic: “I learn best by instructor lecturing to Verbal/linguistic: “I learn best by instructor lecturing to me.”me.”

Logical/Mathematical: “I think math is easy.”Logical/Mathematical: “I think math is easy.”

Visual/spatial: “I must visualize it in my head to remember Visual/spatial: “I must visualize it in my head to remember it.”it.”

Kinesthetic: “I must perform the procedure to learn it.”Kinesthetic: “I must perform the procedure to learn it.”

Musical: “I like to listen to music while studying.”Musical: “I like to listen to music while studying.”

Interpersonal: “I learn must in group settings.”Interpersonal: “I learn must in group settings.”

Intrapersonal: “I learn best when I work alone.”Intrapersonal: “I learn best when I work alone.”

Naturalistic: “I like to work/study outside in the open.”Naturalistic: “I like to work/study outside in the open.”

How is MI theory applied to

nursing?MI theory is used throughout the nursing practice MI theory is used throughout the nursing practice by evaluation of patient and families for specific by evaluation of patient and families for specific individual learning strategies and techniques. individual learning strategies and techniques.

Gardner believed that when MI-inspired instruction Gardner believed that when MI-inspired instruction is implemented with adult learning, is found to is implemented with adult learning, is found to reduce teacher directedness, increase student reduce teacher directedness, increase student control and initiative, increase the authenticity of control and initiative, increase the authenticity of the learning experience, and make learning more the learning experience, and make learning more relevant for students. This can be applied to relevant for students. This can be applied to nurse-patient interactions.nurse-patient interactions.

Applied in my nursing practice

Understanding how different cultural Understanding how different cultural backgrounds learn in different waysbackgrounds learn in different ways

Identifying which individuals require visual vs. Identifying which individuals require visual vs. written explanation written explanation

Learning to be patient with individuals for they Learning to be patient with individuals for they may not have the experience/education for may not have the experience/education for comprehending ideas/needscomprehending ideas/needs

Applied in my nursing practice, cont.

Understand that each patient has many life Understand that each patient has many life experiences to offer and share with nursing experiences to offer and share with nursing staff, that enhances/changes how we interact staff, that enhances/changes how we interact between nurse and patientbetween nurse and patient

Remember when teaching a patient that a Remember when teaching a patient that a person’s culture, language, education, person’s culture, language, education, background, and experiences all make up that background, and experiences all make up that patient and should be respected and regarded patient and should be respected and regarded

References

Howard, G., & Moran, S. (2006). The science of multiple intelligence theory: a response to Lyn Howard, G., & Moran, S. (2006). The science of multiple intelligence theory: a response to Lyn Waterhouse. Waterhouse. Education Psychologist, 41Education Psychologist, 41(4), 227-232. (4), 227-232.

Ozlem, Dogan. (2007). The effects of teaching activities prepared according to the multiple Ozlem, Dogan. (2007). The effects of teaching activities prepared according to the multiple intelligence theory on mathematics achievements and permanence of intelligence theory on mathematics achievements and permanence of

information information learned by 4learned by 4thth grade students. grade students. International Journal of Environmental International Journal of Environmental & Science & Science EducationEducation, , 22(4), 89-91.(4), 89-91.

Vincent, A., & Ross, D. (2002). Using the multiple intelligence theory in international Vincent, A., & Ross, D. (2002). Using the multiple intelligence theory in international business. business. JournalJournal of Teaching in International Business, 14 of Teaching in International Business, 14(1), 45.(1), 45.