6 page paper

Howard Gardner proposed a radical alternative model of intelligence – quite different from the hierarchical models generally accepted by psychometricians. Known as the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, it posits the existence of 7 – 9 separate abilities, each designated an “intelligence.” The theory originally (1983) included the following abilities: linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual, musical, kinesthetic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. Later, Gardner added naturalistic intelligence; still later, existential intelligence joined the list. The Multiple Intelligences model has become quite popular among educators, especially at the preschool and elementary levels. The theory has, however, been criticized on empirical grounds. Neither Gardner nor his followers have developed tests to measure these hypothesized abilities. Therefore, nobody has demonstrated that the abilities really exist – or, if they do, that they are distinct, as opposed to being part of a hierarchy with Spearman’s ‘g’ at the top.