Intelligences you have vs. those you want to develop | INFJ Forum

Intelligences you have vs. those you want to develop

Gaze

Donor
Sep 5, 2009
28,259
44,730
1,906
MBTI
INFPishy
What intelligences have you developed AND which ones would you like to develop.

here's the current list:

The Nine Types of Intelligence

By Howard Gardner

1. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”)

Designates the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations). This ability was clearly of value in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers, and farmers; it continues to be central in such roles as botanist or chef. It is also speculated that much of our consumer society exploits the naturalist intelligences, which can be mobilized in the discrimination among cars, sneakers, kinds of makeup, and the like.

2. Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”)

Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone. This intelligence enables us to recognize, create, reproduce, and reflect on music, as demonstrated by composers, conductors, musicians, vocalist, and sensitive listeners. Interestingly, there is often an affective connection between music and the emotions; and mathematical and musical intelligences may share common thinking processes. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are usually singing or drumming to themselves. They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss.


3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart)

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations. It enables us to perceive relationships and connections and to use abstract, symbolic thought; sequential reasoning skills; and inductive and deductive thinking patterns. Logical intelligence is usually well developed in mathematicians, scientists, and detectives. Young adults with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories, and relationships. They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments.


4. Existential Intelligence


Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.

5. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”)

Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. It involves effective verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to note distinctions among others, sensitivity to the moods and temperaments of others, and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives. Teachers, social workers, actors, and politicians all exhibit interpersonal intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are leaders among their peers, are good at communicating, and seem to understand others’ feelings and motives.

6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”)

Bodily kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. This intelligence also involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind–body union. Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople exhibit well-developed bodily kinesthetic intelligence.

7. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart)

Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. Linguistic intelligence allows us to understand the order and meaning of words and to apply meta-linguistic skills to reflect on our use of language. Linguistic intelligence is the most widely shared human competence and is evident in poets, novelists, journalists, and effective public speakers. Young adults with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles.

8. Intra-personal Intelligence (Self Smart”)

Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and to use such knowledge in planning and directioning one’s life. Intra-personal intelligence involves not only an appreciation of the self, but also of the human condition. It is evident in psychologist, spiritual leaders, and philosophers. These young adults may be shy. They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated.

9. Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”)

Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination. Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing or daydreaming.


From: Overview of the Multiple Intelligences Theory. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and Thomas Armstrong.com

http://skyview.vansd.org/lschmidt/Projects/The Nine Types of Intelligence.htm
 
  • Like
Reactions: invisible
I did this long time ago. I'm good at spatial and logical-mathematical, average at musical and linguistic, and suck at the rest. Interpersonal is the one I'd like to develop more. The last time I saw this list there were only 6 or 7 "intelligences". Existential is I think similar to intrapersonal, also naturalist and interpersonal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaze
I'm fairly comfortable with verbal/linguistic intelligence. I think my highest is intrapersonal. I've developed interpersonal in the last 3-5 years - much better than in previous decade. I should probably work on bodily=kinesthetic and developing my aesthetic intelligence - love and exercise of the creative arts which I find is often connected with the way my intuition works especially writing.
 
Last edited:
I always thought it would be cool to have a high degree of naturalistic intelligence. I secretly wished I'd studied agriculture, at least the theory behind crop rotation, farming, etc. Would probably hate the physical aspects but love the mental side of it.
 
I've developed Intra-personal, spatial, musical and existential intelligences pretty well. The mathematics/logic one I haven't developed as much as I think I have but the one I want to develop more is inter-personal intelligence.
 
I did this test long ago. It's a good one. I'm obviously a geek. Existential intelligence was not part of the test at that time, so I don't really know, but my guess is that I score pretty good there. My worst score was bodily-kinesthetic, which was so low that it doesn't even show here.

Personality Profile.png
 
Last edited:
Regarding no. 4, existential intelligence: As yet, no one has ever been smart enough in this category to answer these questions definitively.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nixie
I just took that test also.

 
I also want to develop my musical intelligence. One day, I want to buy a guitar or violin and teach myself to play. I learned to play the recorder and a little piano, but I really want to play a musical instrument again.
 
wLRzm.png
 
my highest was intrapersonal at 85% followed by musical and verbal/linguistic both at 80%. my lowest was interpersonal at 30%. no surprises,
 
Have:
Intrapersonal and Linguistic.
(Maybe Naturalistic.)

Want:
All of them.
But definitely need Spatial, Logical-Mathematical and Interpersonal. I am really lacking in those areas...
 
Have:

Interpersonal, Linguistic, Musical, Logical-Mathematical

Need: Spatial, Visual, Intrapersonal... Kinesthetic would be nice too lol
 
Carrie, I think its very cool that you want to develop your musical understanding! You won't regret it. I think that a huge part of being a well balanced adult is that we work not only on ou talents, but we also recognize and work to improve areas where we lag. I was the kid that couldn't catch a softball, and spent years in martial arts learning basic body sense; today I still wouldn't the best on the team, but at least I wouldn't be the last picked LOL. When you choose your instrument, follow your passion -- is there a particular instrument that stirs you more than others? I think piano is the easiest to learn, because you SEE a visual layout of the notes -- all the stuff about sharps and flats make sense on a piano.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaze
With the exceptions of Existential Intelligence and Interpersonal Intelligence, I would say that I'm pretty even for the remaining Intelligences. I identify mostly with the Naturalist Intelligence, though. I am the type of person who effortlessly takes notice of natural phenomena, mostly living things. For example, I will notice the caterpillar crawling across the sidewalk whereas most people would walk on by ignoring it. That last bit about being exploited by a consumer society really depresses me. Perhaps Linguistic Intelligence would be in second place. I like learning foreign languages, and I seem to have a knack for them.

Which Intelligence would I like to develop? Hmm. Interpersonal Intelligence perhaps. I am a social retard (I suck at picking up on subtle cues). Developing Musical Intelligence would be fun, though. Always wanted to learn the cello...

Edit: I didn't realize that there was a test you could take on this. I just answered based off of the descriptions.

Edit2: Took the test. Here are the results:
Wow. I really am a social retard :(
 
Last edited:
My existential intelligence was very high when I was younger but I haven't developed it much as an adult. I spent more time in the last few years developing my intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence.