Where is Intellect and Can it be Measured
Can Talent be Defined by the Intelligence Quotient Test?
Apr 7, 2009
The IQ test for intelligence reduces the concept of human potential, according to Howard Gardner, in his book, Frames of Mind, the Theory of Multiple Intelligences (Fontana Press, 1993).
In this theory, Gardner challenges the concepts of this orthodox method of intelligence testing and what it implies.
The Validity of the Intelligence Quotient Test – or IQ Test
Gardner argues that the brain has other competencies as well as mere comprehension and logic. The brain’s overall intelligence, therefore, cannot be defined by a simple IQ score. The multiple-choice system can easily be abused and results are often unreliable. Indeed the score might even damage the candidate’s self-image.
What the IQ Test Score Does Not Measure
Anything outside the field of comprehension, number and logic are not measured. A prodigious talent in music would remain unrecognised, as would someone with an acute visual sense, such as a gifted artist.
Those with an unrecognised need, such as a slow reaction time, or a person with dyslexic tendencies, might result in low scores, even though these candidates might possess advanced cognitive thought.
Measuring Talent
Gardner has identified seven different intelligences, or “talents.” These are:
- Linguistic Intelligence: a gift with language, use of words and expression. Possible pursuits might be a writer, or a speaker.
- Musical Intelligence: a gift with music appreciation, tones, rhythms and pitch. Possible pursuits might be a music critic or musician.
- Logical and Mathematical Intelligence: a gift with numbers, logic and problem solving. Possible pursuits might be a statistician or a mathematician.
- Spatial Intelligence: a gift with thinking and awareness of three-dimensional space and how things are placed within it. Possible pursuits might be a sculptor or an artist.
- Bodily Kinaesthetic Intelligence: a gift with how one’s own body relates to the world around it. Possible pursuits might be a dancer, footballer or stuntman.
- Intra-personal Intelligence: a heightened awareness of how one relates and interacts with others. Possible pursuits might include, social working, caring roles or a counsellor.
- Interpersonal Intelligence: an acute awareness of how one relates with the self. Possible pursuits might be a philosopher or a psychoanalysis.
Two intelligences often overlap one another. A test is available on these intelligences and the results are displayed on a spectrum-like graph that is easy to read.
Why Mensa Cannot Measure Overall Intelligence
IQ testing uses only the answer to give a score, not the reasoning behind the answer. After all, one might come to the correct answer by chance, or one might come to the wrong answer by a pathway of cogent reasoning.
From this, Gardner argues that the potential of the individual’s intellect cannot be measured by the IQ test alone.
Multiple Intelligences and Savant Syndrome in Autism
A particular intelligence might stand in stark contrast to a developmental disorder, as in a candidate with savant syndrome in autism.
Someone with savant syndrome might posses a prodigious talent in music, drawing or numbers, yet have impaired abilities in other areas.
How to Measure a Person’s Intelligence
Howard Gardner’s book on multiple intelligence challenges the orthodox Mensa IQ test for ascertaining a person’s overall intelligence.
The brain possesses several other competencies as well as mere comprehension and mathematical logic. One can find out where their gifts and areas for development lie by taking a test on multiple intelligence.
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