Howard Gardner: Biography Of The American Psychologist
Howard Gardner (United States, 1943) is an American psychologist and pedagogue who has dedicated much of his life to research. Gardner is popularly known for his Theory of multiple intelligences
As a theorist, he thought that the view of intelligence that existed until then (at the time he proposed his theory) did not explain human intelligence in its entirety, and the measurement of Intelligence Quotient (IQ) did not take into account the different intelligences that exist. a person can possess and develop.
His main work, “Structures of the mind: the theory of multiple intelligences (1983)”, explains his theoretical approach and his eight types of intelligence His conception of this construct has had a great impact not only in the field of psychology, but also in the educational field, where he has inspired thousands of teachers and educators who explore new ways of teaching thanks to these different intelligences. In Gardner’s own words: “Each human being has a unique combination of intelligence. This is the fundamental educational challenge”.
Howard Gardner was born in 1943 in Scranton, Pennsylvania (United States). He is the son of a Jewish family that settled in the United States fleeing Nazi Germany, and from a young age he was always an enthusiast for reading and playing the piano. As a student he stood out for his brilliance, and was accepted into the prestigious Harvard University where he became interested in developmental psychology due to the influence of Erik Erikson and Jerome Bruner.
After earning a PhD in psychology from Harvard University and completing postdoctoral research in the field of neuropsychology, Gardner contributed greatly to the field of education and psychology As already mentioned, Gardner, in the 1980s, proposed and developed the theory of multiple intelligences based on his empirical work.
In addition, he has continued his professional career as a teacher, which has led him to be part of the same university institution where he studied. Currently, Howard Gardner is the John H. Professor of Cognition and Education & Elisabeth A. Hobbs at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and director of Harvard Project Zero, a research group created in 1967 by the Harvard Higher School of Education, whose object of study is the learning processes of children and adults.
Furthermore, starting in the 90s, in collaboration with William Damon and the famous psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, (the latter well known for being the author of the concept of flow state) he founded The Good Project. Gardner, to this day, continues to direct this foundation, which he coordinates with a group of professionals who promote excellence and ethics in education, dealing with different topics: civic participation, organizational collaboration or the correct use of the digital medium, among others. .
Thanks to his work he has received various awards or prizes, especially for his theory of multiple intelligences. He is an Honorary Doctor from several universities, among which those of Tel Aviv, Princeton and McGill stand out. He has been awarded by the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and has additionally received more than 20 honorary degrees. In 2011, he received the Prince of Asturias Award for Social Sciences.
His great work: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
After spending time working with different groups of individuals (children with and without disabilities and adults with brain damage), Gardner began to develop a theory that synthesizes his research and observations.
His theory is a counterweight to the paradigm of a single intelligence , because, after his research and experiences, he came to the conclusion that human life requires the development of various types of intelligence, not a unitary intelligence. Therefore, contrary to traditional theories of intelligence that focus on a single intelligence or general intelligence, he proposed that people have different ways of learning and thinking, and he identified and described eight types of intelligence.
It is the ability to master language and communication It not only includes oral language, but also writing or gestures.
2. Logical-mathematical intelligence
It is the ability to reason deductively and logically and the ability to solve mathematical problems. It is usually associated with scientists and the speed in solving mathematical problems. It is the indicator that determines how much logical-mathematical intelligence one has.
3. Spatial intelligence
Also known as visual-spatial intelligence, it is the ability to observe the world and objects from different perspectives , as well as the ability to manipulate or create mental images to solve problems. This ability is not limited to vision, since spatial intelligence also develops in blind people. Spatial intelligence stands out in chess players and visual arts professionals (painters, designers, sculptors…).
4. Musical intelligence
For Gardner, there is a musical intelligence in all people, characterized by the ability to recognize and compose musical tones and rhythms There are people who are more advanced in this type of intelligence, who are able to play instruments and read or compose musical pieces with ease.
5. Bodily and kinesthetic intelligence
It is the ability to use the ability to coordinate body movements This type of intelligence is a manifestation of the connection between the mind (and emotions) and movement. They stand out in bodily intelligence: dancers, actors or athletes.
6. Intrapersonal intelligence
This type of intelligence is characterized by the ability to understand and control one’s internal environment. People who master intrapersonal intelligence are able to access feelings and emotions and reflect on them. Generally, these types of individuals enjoy greater emotional and psychological well-being.
7. Interpersonal intelligence
Interpersonal intelligence refers to the ability to discern the emotions and intentions of others. In other words, it allows you to interpret the words or gestures, or the objectives and goals of other people. Nowadays, it is considered a very important part of emotional intelligence.
This type of intelligence is the ability to distinguish, order, classify, understand and use elements of the environment , objects, animals or plants. Therefore, this type of intelligence refers to the ability to observe, experiment, reflect and question the physical environment. Biologists, botanists or hunters usually have high naturist intelligence.
Bases of Multiple Intelligences
Gardner argues that There are both biological and cultural bases in multiple intelligences Neurobiological research indicates that learning is the result of modifications in synaptic connections between neurons. The primary elements of the different intelligences are found in the brain regions where these transformations occur.
On the other hand, Gardner explains that culture also plays an important role in the development of these intelligences and different cultures value different intelligences differently. So that, the cultural value to execute tasks related to these intelligences serves as motivation to develop them
A psychologist as influential as he is controversial
Perhaps Howard Garner’s main characteristic has been his ability to generate intuitive ideas capable of resonating with the way of thinking of many people outside the field of psychology.
The concept of multiple intelligences, specifically, has had greater penetration in the world of pedagogy than in that of psychology, despite the fact that there is no very clear way to apply these ideas to the way in which children should be educated. the boys and girls.
On the other hand, Howard Gardner’s opposition to the idea of defining intelligence based on psychometric criteria It has earned him a lot of criticism, since it complicates the way to advance in the study of mental abilities.
In any case, there is no doubt that Gardner has served to take into account that we must go beyond statistics and numbers to understand the psychological abilities available to human beings, which is already an important lesson. .
