Multiple Intelligences: Gardner's Theory Explained
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Quick answer
The theory of multiple intelligences, proposed by psychologist Howard Gardner in 1983, argues that intelligence is not a single general ability measured by IQ but several relatively independent ones — such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, and interpersonal intelligence. The idea has been hugely influential in education, but most intelligence researchers remain skeptical, because the proposed intelligences are hard to measure and tend to correlate, which points back toward a single general factor.
What is the theory of multiple intelligences?
Howard Gardner introduced the theory in his 1983 book Frames of Mind. His central claim was that 'intelligence' is plural: instead of one general ability, he argued, the mind contains several relatively independent intelligences, each with its own strengths, brain basis, and developmental path. A person could be strong in one and ordinary in another.
Gardner set criteria for what counts as an intelligence — for example, a potential brain basis, a developmental history, and the existence of people with unusually high or low ability in just that domain. Using those criteria he proposed an initial set of seven, later expanded to eight.
Gardner's eight intelligences
| Intelligence | What it involves | Strong in… |
|---|---|---|
| Linguistic | Words, language, and verbal reasoning | Writers, lawyers, speakers |
| Logical-mathematical | Logic, numbers, and abstract problems | Scientists, engineers |
| Spatial | Visualising and manipulating objects in space | Architects, pilots, artists |
| Bodily-kinesthetic | Coordinated, skilled use of the body | Athletes, surgeons, dancers |
| Musical | Rhythm, pitch, and musical structure | Musicians, composers |
| Interpersonal | Understanding and working with other people | Teachers, leaders, clinicians |
| Intrapersonal | Self-awareness and understanding one's own mind | Reflective decision-makers |
| Naturalistic | Recognising and classifying living things and nature | Naturalists, farmers |
Gardner has also discussed a possible ninth, existential intelligence (a sensitivity to big questions about life and meaning), but has treated it as a candidate rather than a confirmed addition.
How it differs from IQ and 'g'
Traditional IQ testing rests on the idea of a general factor of intelligence, usually written as g: people who do well on one kind of mental task tend to do better on others, and a single score captures much of that shared ability. Multiple intelligences theory rejects this. It says the domains are largely separate, so a single number cannot represent someone's intelligence.
That is the crux of the scientific disagreement. If the intelligences were truly independent, scores in, say, spatial and linguistic ability would not predict each other. In practice they do — which is the central evidence for g and the central problem for the theory.
What is IQ and the 'g' factor? — how mainstream psychometrics defines and measures intelligence.Criticisms and scientific status
Multiple intelligences theory is popular, but its scientific support is limited and widely questioned:
- When the proposed intelligences are measured and correlated, they tend to load onto a general factor (Visser, Ashton & Vernon, 2006) — the opposite of what the theory predicts.
- Critics argue there is little direct empirical evidence validating the intelligences as separate (Waterhouse, 2006).
- Some say the theory relabels well-known talents and abilities — musical or athletic skill — as 'intelligences', which broadens the word until it loses precision.
- The intelligences are hard to operationalise and measure, so the theory is difficult to test or falsify.
Evidence is limited
The theory is influential in education, but the empirical evidence supporting separate, independent intelligences is weak. Most intelligence researchers still favour a general-factor model. Treat multiple intelligences as a useful framing, not an established scientific finding.
Why the theory remains popular
Despite the criticism, multiple intelligences theory endures — especially among educators — because it is intuitive and inclusive. It captures the obvious truth that people have very different strengths, and it pushes back against reducing a child to a single number. That message has real value even if the strict claim of separate intelligences does not hold up.
A common confusion is to equate multiple intelligences with 'learning styles' — the idea that people learn best in a single preferred mode. They are different ideas, and the learning-styles claim is itself poorly supported by evidence. Recognising someone's strengths is helpful; assuming they can only learn one way is not.
IQ vs emotional intelligence — another popular 'beyond IQ' idea — and what the research actually says.Frequently asked questions
What are the multiple intelligences?+
In Howard Gardner's theory they are eight relatively independent abilities: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic. Gardner has also discussed a possible ninth, existential intelligence, as a candidate.
Who created the theory of multiple intelligences?+
Psychologist Howard Gardner, in his 1983 book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. He proposed that intelligence is plural rather than a single general ability.
How many intelligences are there?+
Gardner originally proposed seven, then added an eighth (naturalistic), giving the eight most commonly cited today. A ninth, existential intelligence, is discussed as a candidate but is not firmly established.
Is multiple intelligences theory scientifically valid?+
It is contested. The theory is influential in education, but empirical tests find the proposed intelligences correlate with one another and with a general factor (g), and critics note little direct evidence validating them as separate. Most intelligence researchers favour a general-factor model.
What is the difference between multiple intelligences and IQ?+
IQ rests on a general factor of intelligence captured by a single score, on the idea that mental abilities are correlated. Multiple intelligences theory rejects a single score and treats the domains as largely separate. The disagreement comes down to whether abilities are correlated — and in practice they are, which supports IQ's general-factor view.
Is multiple intelligences the same as learning styles?+
No. Multiple intelligences is a theory about different kinds of ability; learning styles is the separate claim that each person learns best in one preferred mode. They are often confused, but the learning-styles idea is itself poorly supported by evidence.
Sources
This guide draws on standard psychometric references and peer-reviewed research:
- 1.Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Basic Books.
- 2.Visser, B. A., Ashton, M. C., & Vernon, P. A. (2006). “Beyond g: Putting multiple intelligences theory to the test.” Intelligence, 34(5).
- 3.Waterhouse, L. (2006). “Multiple intelligences, the Mozart effect, and emotional intelligence: A critical review.” Educational Psychologist, 41(4).
- 4.Neisser, U., et al. (1996). “Intelligence: Knowns and Unknowns.” American Psychologist, 51(2). APA.
- 5.American Psychological Association (APA)
Sources are provided for further reading. Organization links point to official sites; academic works are cited in full. See our research standards and editorial team.
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