Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences in his 1983 book Frames of Mind, arguing human intelligence is not one general ability but a set of at least eight relatively independent modalities: linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic. The theory became highly influential in education while drawing sustained criticism from psychometricians for lacking the kind of validating empirical evidence a scientific model of intelligence is expected to carry.
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Disputed
Core ClaimIntelligence comprises at least eight distinct, relatively independent modalities rather than one general ability measurable by a single test. 1 Gardner himself has acknowledged the theory has few enthusiasts among psychometricians and conceded there was little hard validating evidence for it as of a 2004 review; the theory remains influential in educational practice despite this. Evidence Standing Theory of Multiple Intelligences
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Contemporaneous rival broadenings of the definition of intelligence beyond a single general ability, proposed within two years of each other.
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Source Wikipedia: Theory of Multiple Intelligences
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Source Wikipedia: Theory of Multiple IntelligencesArticle texttier 2Quote, Article text
Introduced in Howard Gardner's book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences (1983), this framework has gained popularity among educators who accordingly develop varied teaching strategies purported to cater to different student strengths.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Wikimedia FoundationCriticism
There are no empirical, experimental studies using psychometrics to establish validity.
Article text
The theory has been criticized by mainstream psychology for its lack of empirical evidence, and its dependence on subjective judgement.
In Branch: Educational Psychology, Overview section, what the theory proposes
human intelligence is not a single general ability but comprises various distinct modalities, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, and spatial intelligences.
View the Source Dissenting Readings (1 dissenting reading)
Core Claim
Linda Gottfredson and other psychometricians argue the theory lacks the validating psychometric and experimental evidence a scientific model of intelligence requires, and Gardner himself has acknowledged there was little hard evidence for it as of a 2004 review; the theory nonetheless remains highly influential in educational practice.
A dissenting reading, from Linda GottfredsonWikipedia: Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Wikimedia Foundation
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