Discussion: Defining Intelligence - Coursework Example

DEFINING INTELLIGENCE Compare the traditional idea about intelligence with Gardners. Are there advantages to the traditional format of intelligence testing? How can Gardner’s ideas change the way we assess the strengths and weaknesses of people?
Gardners theory has actually been liberating or freeing to individuals in that they have been able to validate their strengths that normally lie outside the traditional view of intelligence. Prior to Gardner, intelligence was generally seen as something shown in linguistic and logical-mathematical domains (Chen & Gardner, H. (2009). However, the introduction of intelligences such as intrapersonal, spatial, musical and interpersonal made learners to start viewing their individual differences as well as pathways to information or knowledge as legitimate.
An acknowledgment of such other modes of knowing has not greatly changed the way individuals or students are assessed, however, it has suggested that there are numerous ways of knowing past the traditional language-based and reasoning-based modes (Chen & Gardner, H. (2009).
2. One criticism of Gardners theory is that he classifies talents as a type of intelligence. Critics might say that a gifted artist or golf progeny is not necessarily smart. How would you reply to this criticism?
In response to this criticism, I concur with the critics. Intelligence is only a scholastic aptitude as it is the skill of succeeding in school. However talents in other areas such as sports are not intelligence. This is because intelligence is learned but a talent cannot be easily learned in case the talent’s source is one’s synaptic connections (Chen & Gardner, H. (2009).
3. Give an example of an assignment that could be used to evaluate what students learn about a specific topic in Psychology and allows them to utilize multiple forms of intelligence.
With regards to natural disaster management, students should be given an assignment that requires them to determine effective ways of managing disasters such as tornadoes. This will require them to use multiple intelligences to come up with ways to manage such unexpected or sudden occurrences including educating people on how to manage resulting trauma. They will also be required to determine suitable infrastructures for the areas prone to tornadoes.
4. How does an understanding of multiple intelligences change how you view your own abilities?
An understanding of multiple intelligences makes me feel much better about myself. I feel that I am just as smart as everybody. Even if someone thinks they are dump, they will think positively about themselves if they have several special talents that other people does not have. I will make me understand that everyone is smart or special in their own way. I will be able to understand each person better. I will also be able to push harder in order to get a good equal quantity or amount of the intelligences (Chen & Gardner, H. (2009).

Reference
Chen, J.-Q., Moran, S., & Gardner, H. (2009). Multiple intelligences around the world. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Read More