Howard Gardner: Biography of the American Psychologist

Howard Gardner (United States, 1943) is an American psychologist and pedagogue who has devoted 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 intelligence. human being as a whole, and the measurement of the Intellectual Quotient (IQ) did not take into account the different intelligences that a person 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 field educational, where he has inspired thousands of teachers and educators to explore new ways of teaching thanks to these different intelligences. In Gardner's own words: “Every human being has a unique combination of intelligence. This is the fundamental educational challenge".

• He knows more about Howard Gardner's theory in the article by psychologist and writer Bertrand Regader: "Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences"

Howard Gardner Biography

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 the Nazi Germany, and from a young age he was always a reading and piano enthusiast. 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 doctorate in psychology from Harvard University and completing his 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 her empirical work.

Teaching and projects

In addition, he has continued his professional career as a teacher, which has led him to be part of the same university institution in which he studied. Currently, Howard Gardner is the John H Professor of Cognition and Education. & Elisabeth A. Hobbs at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Director of Harvard Project Zero, a research group created in 1967 by the Harvard School of Education, whose object of study is the learning processes of children and adults.

In addition, from 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 statusshe) she 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 other

Thanks to his work, he has received different prizes or awards, especially for his theory of multiple intelligences. He is Doctor Honoris Causa by several universities, among which those of Tel Aviv, Princeton or Mc Gill stand out. He has been awarded by the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur and, in addition, he has received more than 20 honorary degrees. In 2011, she 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 unique 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 about intelligence that focus on a single intelligence or intelligence In general, he proposed that people have different ways of learning and thinking, and identified and described eight types of intelligence.

• You can click on the title of each intelligence to access more detailed information.

It is the ability to master language and communication. It not only includes oral language, but also writing or gestures

It is the ability to reason deductively and logically and the ability to solve mathematical problems. It is usually associated with scientists and speed in solving mathematical problems. It is the indicator that determines how much logical-mathematical intelligence is possessed.

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 in order to solve problems. ability is not limited to vision, since spatial intelligence also develops in people blind. Spatial intelligence stands out in chess players and professionals in the visual arts (painters, designers, sculptors ...).

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 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 mind (and emotions) and movement. They stand out in corporal intelligence: dancers, actors or athletes.

This type of intelligence is characterized by the ability to understand and control the internal environment of oneself. 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.

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. Today, 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 capacity for observation, experimentation, reflection and questioning of the physical environment. Biologists, botanists or hunters usually have a high naturopathic 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 the 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 differently different intelligences. So that, the cultural value to perform the tasks related to these intelligences serves as motivation to develop them.

An influential and controversial psychologist

Perhaps the main characteristic of Howard Garner has been his ability to generate ideas intuitive skills that can resonate with the way of thinking of many of the people outside the field of psychology.

The concept of multiple intelligences, in particular, has had a greater penetration in the world of pedagogy than in that of education. psychology, although there is no very clear way to apply these ideas to the way in which children should be educated and girls

On the other hand, Howard Gardner's opposition to the idea of ​​defining intelligence based on psychometric criteria he has earned him much criticism, since it complicates the way to advance in the study of mental capacities.

In any case, there is no doubt that Gardner has served to take into account that it is necessary to go beyond statistics and numbers to understand the psychological abilities available to the human being, which is already an important lesson.

Bibliographic references:

• Gardner, H. (2006). Schaler, Jeffrey A., ed. "A Blessing of Influences" in Howard Gardner Under Fire. Illinois: Open Court.
• Gardner, H. (1989). To Open Minds: Chinese Clues to the Dilemma of American Education. New York: Basic Books.