Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
The Multiple Intelligences theory of Gardner, which Howard Gardner proposed in 1983, shows that intelligence does not exist as one thing but consists of different types. In this structure, at least eight intelligences are perceived separately, which helps to expand the understanding of human capabilities and to promote personalized learning methods.
Gardner had outlined his theory on the existence of eight intelligences: the first one is Linguistic (word smart), second is Logical-Mathematical (number smart), and then comes Spatial (picture smart), Musical (music smart), Bodily-Kinesthetic (body smart), Interpersonal (people smart), Intrapersonal (self smart), and finally Naturalistic (nature smart). A very clear example of this is a professional musician. He is said to be the best at musical intelligence whereas a surgeon, on the other hand, would become a practitioner who has the highest level of dexterity and fine motor skills, thus he/she may exhibit such intelligence as Bodily-Kinesthetic.
This theory has been called on the educators to ensure they recognize and address the multiplicity of intelligences of their students, which is a form of promotion for differentiated instruction. For example, Spatial learners can be visual learners, so a teacher could use visual aids, which are for Spatial learners, while the teacher also shares group activities for Interpersonal learners to please both parties, thus, their engagement and comprehension are improved.
Definitely, by focusing on individual skills and assigning tasks accordingly, Gardner's approach would increase team dynamics and job satisfaction. An illustration of this would be a marketing unit where an individual who possesses superior Architectural intelligence may be the one to do the copywriting, whereas a coworker who has good Interpersonal intelligence may have to be the one to handle the clients, hence improving the whole nine team results.
A section of critics says that the theory does not have any evidence from actual observations and that the intelligences could significantly overlap, thereby questioning their individual characteristics. Furthermore, a number of people argue that intelligence should be defined more specifically, concentrating only on cognitive abilities instead of including a wide range of skills and talents. However, these strong reservations still, the theory has nurtured enormously fruitful dialogues on the subjects of learning and intelligence.