In this blog post, we are focusing on types of Intelligence and try to explain all types one by one.  We all are not God gifted in similar things, i.e., some are more athletic while others have the more advanced capability of coordination. Some can pick up on the words and language faster at a young age, while others can more smoothly play with numbers and patterns.

Most people aren’t able to understand the range of abilities they own, because of which they are trapped in wrong careers. Or they are in the struggling phase to identify learning techniques that eventually can help them excel further.

Different areas in the Human brain correspond to certain spheres of knowledge, all of which are relatively independent and distinct.

When you think about the term IQ, the word intelligence immediately comes to mind. Intelligence is an intellectual potential with which we are born and which is something that can be measured and can be refined. However, according to impactful research, Harvard psychologist Howard Garner proposed a related concept known as “The theory of multiple intelligences”, which has revolutionized the confined concept of Intelligence.

The theory of Multiple Intelligences:

The theory of multiple intelligences is recommended to understand your capabilities and skills better, highlighting the eight dimensions of Intelligence, each representing different ways of thinking and how a person processes information.

The high you score in one category does not mean how (high or low) you rank in another.

The theory of Multiple Intelligences

Suppose you are interested in being exceptionally intelligent. In that case, you should understand and refine those unique areas of Intelligence where you have got advantage naturally and building upon those strengths; you will take yourself in a win-win situation. For example, a person struggling with writing can be a compelling graphic designer or a student unable to grasp fractions can do better in slicing technique through visualizing.

Below are explained the eight types of Intelligence:

1-Visual-Spatial Intelligence:

 It identifies the ability of thinking in multiple dimensions and abstractly conceptualizing spatial reasoning, which is required for fields including aviation, graphic designing, architecture etc.

Spatial Intelligence is a creative ability of thinking in three dimensions, and core capabilities include image manipulation, artistic skills, spatial reasoning, mental imagery and active imagination. Pilots, sailors, architects, sculptors etc., all exhibit spatial Intelligence. These individuals are good with the directions such as charts and maps as they have good visualizing power.

Visual Spatial Intelligence

 Young adults having this kind of Intelligence are fascinated with jigsaw puzzles, mazes, or spend free time daydreaming or drawing. In addition, these people read and write for enjoyment.

If you feel that you are good in visualizing and spatial Intelligence, better career choices for you are :

  • Fashion designer
  • Artist
  • Engineer
  • Pilot
  • Surgeon
  • Architecture

2-Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence

 People with this kind of Intelligence can use words very well, both in speaking and writing; that is why these individuals are great at memorizing information, reading and writing stories. These people are primarily eloquent and able to debate, give persuasive speeches, and explain things competently with a sense of humour. In addition, these people possess language intelligence which means they have sensitivity to the order among words, the meaning of words and the inflexions, rhythms, and meter of words.

Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence

This type of Intelligence is the ability to use complex, meaningful language, and it allows the understanding of word order and reflects linguistic skills smoothly. Linguistic Intelligence is a widely shared competence evident in novelists, poets, public speakers and journalists.

If you are good in linguistic-verbal Intelligence, fine career choices for you are :

Lawyer

Journalist

Teacher

3-Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

People having logical-mathematical solid Intelligence are sharp in recognizing patterns, analyzing problems logically, and reasoning smartly. These people tend to think conceptually about relationships, numbers and ways.

They can analyze problems and carry out mathematical operations swiftly. People with this Intelligence, such as Bill Gates and Albert, are skilled at solving abstract problems and developing equations. These people can quantify, consider hypotheses and propositions. It enables them to perceive connections and relationships and use symbolic thoughts, deductive thinking patterns, and abstract sequential reasoning skills.

Logical Mathematical Intelligence

This kind of Intelligence is well developed in detectives, scientists, mathematicians etc. Young adults having logical-mathematical Intelligence are drawn to experiments and strategy games.

These people can analyze mathematical operations and problems as they have excellent problem-solving skills; they enjoy contemplating abstract ideas, conducting experiments, and solving complex computations.

If you are strong in this sphere of Intelligence, promising career choices for you are as follows :

  • Computer programmer
  • Accountant
  • Mathematician
  • Engineer
  • Scientist
  • Economist

4-Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

 People having high bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence are good at performing meaningful physical/body actions and physical control. For example, people falling in this category tend to have the agility and excellent eye-hand coordination.

This kind of Intelligence is all about the way which demonstrates athletic and physical prowess.

Having this skill means that one can effortlessly run down a field, passing a ball or a dancer performing a complicated routine flawlessly.This Intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects using various physical skills, including the sense of timing and perfection of talents through the union of mind and body.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

Dancers, athletes, craftspeople, and surgeons exhibit well developed kinesthetic Intelligence. These people possess refined motor control  and they remember by doing rather than seeing or hearing.

5-Musical Intelligence:

 People having musical Intelligence are quite delicate in rhythms, sounds and patterns. They have a strong appreciation for musical composition and performance. Their sensitivity to pitch, timbre, melody and pitch is more robust than others, which may entail playing musical instruments and singing. Famous people like Jimi Hendrix, Beethoven and Aretha Franklin etc. all possess this kind of Intelligence.

This Intelligence enables to create, reflect and recognize music as demonstrated by conductors, vocalists, sensitive listeners and musicians.

Musical Intelligence

Interestingly, there is an effective connection between emotions and music.

Potential Career Choices for people with this kind of Intelligence are:

Composer

Music teacher

DJ

Musical Conductor

6-Interpersonal Intelligence

 Interpersonal Intelligence covers the ability to interact with others effectively. These people have sensitivity to other people’s feelings, motivations, temperaments and moods. So essentially, it can relate to and understand those around you.

People with solid interpersonal Intelligence are better at understanding others, capable of assessing the motivations, emotions, intentions, and desires of those around them.

Interpersonal Intelligence revolves around non-verbal, effective verbal communication, sensitivity to temperaments and moods of others, ability to note distinctions among others and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives. Social workers, teachers, actors and politicians, all exhibit interpersonal Intelligence.

Interpersonal Intelligence

Adults possessing this Intelligence are good at understanding other’s feelings and motives. These people communicate well verbally and are skilled in even non-verbal communication. These individuals create good relationships with others, resolves conflicts in a group setting.

Potential carer choices for these individuals are to be philosopher, counsellor, politician, negotiator, publicist, psychologist, team manager etc.

7- Intrapersonal Intelligence

 Individuals having good intrapersonal Intelligence are better at being aware of their emotional states, motivations and feelings. They tend to enjoy analysis and self-reflection, including assessing personal strength, exploring relationships with others etc.

These individuals possess sensitivity to anxieties, goals and feelings to plan and act in light of one’s traits. Thus, Intrapersonal Intelligence is not particular to specified careers; instead, it is a goal for all individuals in a society, where one has to make consequential decisions.

Intrapersonal Intelligence

People with this Intelligence have a good understanding of knowledge regarding directioning one’s life. Intrapersonal Intelligence involves an appreciation of one’s self and the human condition overall. It is evident in spiritual leaders, philosophers and psychologists and self-motivated people.

These people possess analytical strength to enjoy related ideas and theories, have excellent self-awareness.

Good career choices for people having intrapersonal Intelligence can be good writers, scientists, psychologists, entrepreneurs, counsellors etc.

8- Naturalistic Intelligence

 This includes the ability to understand nuances in nature, including the distinction between different elements of nature. Notable individuals, including Jane Goodall and Charles Darwin, had naturalistic Intelligence.

Individuals high in this type of Intelligence are more in resonance with nature and are often interested in exploring and nurturing the environment. These individuals are said to be highly aware of subtle changes in the environment. It designates the capability to discriminate among living organisms and sensitivity to various other features of the natural world, including rock configurations, clouds, etc. This ability is clearly of value as it plays a central role in the area of speculation and contemplation.

Naturalistic Intelligence

People who have naturalistic Intelligence can categorize information easily, enjoy camping, hiking and exploring outdoors. However, they dislike unfamiliar topics which are disconnected from nature.

Potential Career Choices or for people having this kind of Intelligence can be :

  • Conservationist
  • Biologist
  • Geologist
  • Florist
  • Botanist

Assess yourself and consider the things you gravitated towards during your youth. (as usually when we’re kids, we pick up activities closely linked with our innate abilities).

Keep in mind that this is just a quick, simple exercise for providing a clearer sense of strengths. Look out if your top skills and interests align with your career? If not, how can you utilize them to get to where you want to be?

When we gain a proper understanding of our natural talents, we get a better chance of figuring out how to achieve goals in our professional lives.