Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligences (MIs) was proposed in the early 1980s by Howard Gardner in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The theory delineated the limitations of the traditional treatment of intellect as a single coherent capacity and the intelligence or IQ test as an adequate measure of human intelligence. MI theory stipulates that human cognition is more fully and more accurately described as a set of relatively independent abilities, talents, and/or skills—in short, a collection of intelligences. This entry defines intelligence by describing the criteria for an intelligence, explains the eight intelligences proposed by Gardner, and discusses the use of MI theory in education and the workplace.