18 types of intelligence: visual-spatial, logical-mathematical, linguistic,…

The types of intelligence are the different abilities to solve problems. They are governed or regulated by specific regions of the brain.

The concept of multiple intelligences was developed by psychologist Howard Gardner as a series of biological and psychological potentialities and capacities of the human being to process certain kinds of information in certain ways.

1. Visual-spatial intelligence

Visual spatial intelligence understands the potential to recognize and manipulate patterns in space. We can achieve this in pilots, sculptors, architects and plastic artists.

One way to measure visual-spatial intelligence is to allow a person to explore a piece of land and see if they can find their way out or put together a puzzle.

2. Logical-mathematical intelligence

Logical-mathematical intelligence involves the ability to analyze problems and perform mathematical operations logically. Examples of people with a high level of this intelligence are mathematicians, statisticians, and engineers.

3. Linguistic intelligence

Linguistic intelligence refers to the sensitivity to spoken and written language, the facility to learn languages, and the ability to use language to achieve goals. Examples of people with high linguistic intelligence are lawyers, writers, and translators.

Linguistic intelligence is activated when we encounter the sound of language or when we wish to communicate verbally with others.

4. Musical intelligence

Musical intelligence involves the ability to compose and appreciate musical patterns. We use it when composing songs or other musical creations, playing instruments, or appreciating the structure of a piece of music. This intelligence is highly developed in musicians, composers and singers.

5. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

Bodily or kinesthetic intelligence involves the potential to use the body or part of the body (such as the hands or mouth) to solve problems. Dancers, actors, and athletes possess this type of intelligence. It also occurs in people who do crafts or require manipulation such as surgeons and mechanics.

6. Interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence denotes a person’s ability to understand the intentions, motivations, and desires of other people and, consequently, relate to and work effectively with others. This intelligence is valued in sectors that interact with the public, such as salespeople, teachers, doctors, actors, and politicians.

Mahatma Gandhi and Nicholas Machiavelli are characters who showed a high degree of interpersonal intelligence.

7. Intrapersonal intelligence

Intrapersonal intelligence involvesthe ability to understand oneself. We use it to know who we are: our strengths, weaknesses, and personal goals. Intrapersonal intelligence is often misinterpreted as the development of self-esteem or intelligence of introverts.

A tragic example of high intrapersonal intelligence is found in Anne Frank (1929-1945), who recorded her hopes, wishes, and fears in great detail in her diary during World War II.

8. Naturalistic intelligence

Naturalistic intelligence is related to ability to categorize and recognize differences between organisms. A naturalist demonstrates knowledge in recognizing and classifying the numerous species in his or her environment. This intelligence is of importance to hunters, fishermen, farmers, meteorologists, and biologists.

9. Spiritual-existential intelligence

This is the last of Gardner’s multiple intelligences, which is still controversial. It is about the ability to place oneself with respect to the cosmos and existential issues of the human condition, such as the meaning of life and death, the final destination of the physical and psychological worlds.

It also has to do with experiences as deep as love for another person or total immersion in a work of art. A high degree of this intelligence is credited to mystics, yogis, gurus, and meditators. Examples of characters who manifested this type of intelligence are found in Buddha, Christ and Confucius.

10. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence encompasses a set of capabilities that allows the individual to iinterpret and respond to one’s own and others’ emotional states, adapting thoughts and behaviors accordingly. The concept of emotional intelligence was introduced by Daniel Goleman in 1995.

Among the brain centers involved in the control of emotional intelligence we have:

the right amygdala, the right somatosensory cortex, the insula, the anterior cingulate, and a portion in the prefrontal cortex.

Each of these centers controls reactions related to emotions and empathy.

11. Collective intelligence

Collective intelligence is the intelligence attributed to systems of societies made up of relatively simple agents, such as ants, termites and bees, capable of performing complex cognitive actions at a collective level.

Social insects reach a high level of complexity capable of making decisions about their internal states, available environmental resources, protection from harm, and food gathering strategies.

12. Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence or AI is defined as:

“The interdisciplinary approach to understanding, modeling, and replicating intelligence and other human cognitive processes by means of computational, mathematical, logical, and mechanical principles and devices.”

The aim of AI is to develop machines capable of carrying out tasks that require human intelligence. Examples of AI we have in facial recognition systems, robots or androids.

13. Fluid intelligence

Fluid intelligence is defined as the ability to analyze and solve novel problems without relying on prior knowledge. Fluid intelligence is part of general intelligence according to Raymond Cattell (1943), and is a critical factor in solving logic problems, identifying patterns and relationships.

14. Crystallized Intelligence

Crystallized intelligence is the part of general intelligence that includes what has been learned. It is reflected in knowledge tests, general information and vocabulary.

15. Successful Intelligence

The term “successful intelligence” was implemented by Robert J. Stenberg as:

“The ability to achieve our goals in life, according to our sociocultural context, capitalizing on strengths while correcting or compensating for weaknesses, to adapt to, manipulate, and select environments, through a combination of analytical, creative, and practical abilities.”

In this sense, intelligence is not what an intelligence test or test measures and it is different for each individual. For example, someone with a high IQ may be a failure in life.

16. Practical intelligence

Practical intelligence refers to knowing how to do things. For example, the mechanics in their workshops that repair a car without the help of diagnostic methods, the street vendors that carry out mathematical operations without the need for calculators, or the sailors of the Polynesian islands that cross the Pacific without the help of compasses or GPS. .

17. Social intelligence

Social intelligence refers to the ability to “get along with others.” It is the intelligence that is shown in relationships with the people around us. It includes social sensitivity, social perception and communication. Individuals on the autism spectrum have difficulty behaving and maintaining effective social relationships.

18. Cultural intelligence

The concept of cultural intelligence was introduced by PC Earley and S. Ang as the “ability to function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity“. This concept arises as a result of the globalization that we are experiencing in the 21st century, the increase in cultural interrelationships and the probability of misunderstandings, tensions and intercultural conflicts.