Howard Gardner argues that a single measure of intelligence, or a global IQ score, does not accurately reflect an individual’s overall mental ability. Moreover, he maintains that intelligence must be defined within the context of a particular culture. Let’s assume we are trying to understand the mental abilities of two adults—one from the United States, the other from an uncontacted tribe in the Brazilian rainforest. (Members of uncontacted tribes associate only with one another and have no interaction with the outside world.) Would a standard intelligence test, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), provide us with an accurate understanding of both adults’ overall mental abilities? Would the types of skills that are considered a reflection of intelligent behavior in the United States apply to the adult in the uncontacted tribe? As you reflect on these two questions, consider Gardner’s position that intelligence is the ability to solve problems, or create products, that are valued within one or more cultural settings.
Use FIGURE 7.7 on page 297 of your textbook to answer Questions 1–3.
Question
1
Identify two types of intelligence that might be especially important for an adult in the United States.
Question
2
Identify two types of intelligence that might be especially important for an adult in the uncontacted tribe. If you need more information about uncontacted tribes, conduct an online search for “uncontacted Indians of Brazil,” or “Brazil’s uncontacted tribes.” Make sure to explain why these types of intelligence might be important for an adult in an uncontacted tribe.
Question
3
Which types of intelligence do you think best characterize your abilities? Explain your answer.
Question
4
Locate and complete a free online Multiple Intelligences Test. You may find the following Websites helpful: Birmingham Grid for Learning—Multiple Intelligences (www.bgfl.org), Literacynet.org, or Edutopia (www.edutopia.org). After completing the test, briefly summarize your results. Did you score high in the abilities that you listed in Question 3?
Locate and complete a free online Multiple Intelligences Test. You may find the following Websites helpful: Birmingham Grid for Learning—Multiple Intelligences (www.bgfl.org), Literacynet.org, or Edutopia (www.edutopia.org). After completing the test, briefly summarize your results. Did you score high in the abilities that you listed in Question 3?
Question
5
Overall, do you think Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences provides an accurate overview of the diversity in human intelligence? That is, does it adequately explain unique patterns of strengths and weaknesses? Briefly explain your answer.
Question
6
According to Gardner’s theory, ____ intelligence refers to our ability to mentally visualize the relationships of objects or movements.
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B.
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D.
Question
7
Byron has always been interested in animals. As a child, he visited over 30 zoos and collected dozens of books, games, and videos about animals. In high school, Byron volunteered at a local veterinarian’s office. He is currently in his junior year of college and is majoring in zoology. According to Gardner’s theory, Byron likely scores high in ____ intelligence.
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B.
C.
D.
Question
8
Gardner has recently identified a ninth possible intelligence that he refers to as
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D.
Question
9
According to Gardner, what does research on individuals who have experienced brain damage reveal about intelligence?
In his research on individuals with brain damage, Gardner noted that some mental abilities are spared, while others are lost. This suggests that different mental abilities are biologically distinct and controlled by different areas of the brain.