Intelligence is the ability of a person to understand the world, think rationally, and effectively make use of knowledge, experiences, resources and emotions in certain situations.

Often we are compelled to take specific intelligence or IQ tests, mostly required for admissions to prestigious educational institutions or for job selection in companies. From early childhood, we have to pass those tests to prove our intelligence and capabilities to be recognised as the best candidate.

But is a certain piece of paper, containing some logical and rational questions, enough to judge, test and recognise an individual’s hidden potential, abilities and intelligence?

The same question was raised by Howard Gardner, an American developmental psychologist, in 1983. Based on his research, he concluded that people do not possess only one type of mental intelligence, such as that measured by an IQ test. Instead, he put forward the idea that we all possess nine different types of intelligence, which can be observed and measured in various aspects of an individual’s daily activities.

Here are the nine types of intelligence, along with occupational matches for each:

1. Linguistic intelligence

Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think and use words in both spoken and written language, to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to express and achieve goals. It enables us to understand the order and meaning of words and use meta-linguistic skills to reflect on our language use.

Young adults with this intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories, or doing crossword puzzles. They can analyse information and create products involving oral and written language such as speeches, poems, and books.

Career choices: Authors, poets, novelists, journalists, translators, hosts and effective public speakers.

Real life example: William Shakespeare and Allama Iqbal

2. Logical-mathematical intelligence

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify, consider hypotheses, and perform complete mathematical operations. It allows us to perceive relationships and connections, and use abstract, symbolic thought, sequential reasoning skills, and inductive and deductive thinking patterns.

It is most profound and widely used in IQ tests and various testing systems to assess a candidate’s IQ level and intellect. Mathematicians, scientists and detectives possess high levels of logical intelligence. Numbers, patterns, categories, and relationships pique the interest of young adults with high logical intelligence. They are captivated by arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments and can create equations and proofs, make calculations, and solve abstract problems.

Career choices: Mathematician, accountant, statistician, engineer, scientist and computer analyst.

Real life example: Albert Einstein and Bill Gates.

3. Interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to comprehend and communicate efficiently with others. It involves effective verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to notice differences in others, sensitivity to others’ moods and temperaments, and the ability to entertain diverse perspectives are all part of it.

It is demonstrated by teachers, social workers, actors and politicians. Young adults with this level of intelligence are leaders among their peers, are good communicators and appear to understand the feelings and motivations of others. They have a strong and remarkable sense of service, and they often stand out in the crowd.

Career choices: Counsellor, diplomat, social worker, supervisor or team leader.

Real life example: Quaid-i-Azam and Princess Diana.

4. Intra-personal intelligence

Intra-personal intelligence is the ability to understand oneself and one’s ideas and feelings, and to apply that knowledge to plan and direct one’s life. Intra-personal intelligence entails an understanding of both the self and human nature. These individuals are intuitive, reserved and usually introvert. They learn on their own and through introspection. People with intra-personal intelligence generally have interests in philosophy, psychology, and theology. They like journaling because it keeps them self-aware and self-motivated. They excel at guiding others toward self-understanding. They can foresee their own and other people’s behaviours.

This type of intelligence is evident in psychologists, entrepreneurs and philosophers.

Career choices: Counsellors, psychologists, entrepreneurs and philosophers.

Real-life example: Mark Zuckerberg is renowned for his tolerance and calmness under pressure. He has kept a public persona that conveys his reflective and intuitive personality through various appearances. Mark also prioritises problem-solving over all else, a feature of people with strong intrapersonal intelligence.

5. Spatial intelligence

Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions. Mind-mapping, spatial reasoning, vivid imagination, and creative and artistic talents are all core abilities.

Spatial intelligence is exhibited by sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters and architects. Young adults with this level of intelligence often enjoy mazes, jigsaw puzzles, art, and craft or spend their free time drawing or daydreaming.

Career choices: Artists, photographers, fashion/graphic designer, pilots, etc.

Real-life example: Marium Mukhtiar Shaheed was the first female Pakistani fighter pilot to lose her life in the line of duty. She possessed strong visual memory with a keen sense of direction, distance and measurement.

6. Musical intelligence

Musical intelligence is the ability to distinguish between pitch, rhythm, timbre and tone. This intelligence enables us to perceive, create, recreate and reflect on music, as proven by composers, singers, musicians, vocalists and attentive listeners. Surprisingly, music and emotions frequently have a passionate connection. Mathematics and musical intelligence have common reasoning abilities, which is why some people enjoy solving math problems while listening to music.

Young people with this level of intelligence are often found singing or playing instruments. They are acutely sensitive to sounds that others may overlook.

Career choices: Singer, composer, musician, choral director.

Real life example: Atif Aslam is a singer, songwriter, composer and actor. He is renowned for his vocal belting technique and has recorded numerous.

7. Naturalist intelligence:

Naturalist intelligence refers to the human ability to distinguish between living things (plants and animals), as well as sensitivity to other aspects of the natural world (clouds, land, rock configurations).

Naturalist intelligence is concerned with how people interact with their natural surroundings. Naturalists have a unique capacity to cultivate plants, vegetables and fruits. They have a strong bond with animals and are skilled at training and understanding them. They excel at uncovering natural treasures.

Naturalists enjoy walking, climbing, camping and hiking. Nature inspires and rejuvenates those with naturalist intellect.

This ability was certainly valuable in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers, and farmers, and it is now important in jobs like botanist, painter and chef. It is also believed that much of our consumer society uses naturalist intelligence, which can be mobilised in the distinction between vehicles, footwear and types of makeup.

Career choices: Biologist, environmentalist, botanist, forensic expert and archaeologist.

Real life example: Charles Robert Darwin, an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, is notably known for his contributions to evolutionary biology.

8. Kinaesthetic intelligence:

Kinaesthetic intelligence is the human ability to learn through movement and experiments. Kinaesthetic intelligence people are drawn to sports and activities that involve physical efforts and mastery. They possess exceptional motor abilities and coordination. They are physically active and conscious of their bodies. Some kinaesthetic people are drawn to the artistic side of movements such as dancing, gymnastic, or other forms of creative movement. They adore acting and performing in front of an audience.

Career choices: Athlete, fitness trainer, dancer and actor/actress.

Real life example: Muhammad Ali was a professional boxer and an activist from the United States. He is regarded as one of the most important sports figures of the 20th century. He received the Sportsman of the Century award from Sports Illustrated and the BBC in 1999, respectively.

9. Existential intelligence:

Existential intelligence is the human ability to comprehend and address deeper or broader concerns regarding human existence and spiritual knowledge, such as the meaning of life, the purpose of human existence, why we are born, why we die, life after death, etc. People who frequently ask and reflect on questions regarding life, death, the afterlife, and eternal truths.

Existential intelligent people focus on the big picture and how the universe works.

They are spiritually strong and have a keen interest in the message and signs of God.

Career choices: Public speaker, religious scholar, philosopher.

Real life example: Buddha, Socrates and Stephen Covey can interpret, clarify, and present difficult-to-process concepts regarding human life and its existence

So, having read about the different types of intelligence, which do you think you possess? Well, Gardner believes that every person possesses all nine types of intelligence — each person has a unique profile of how this intelligence fits together, like your unique fingerprint. These bits of intelligence reflect the different ways in which we interact with the world.

For example, a child who can quickly solve mathematical/logical problems is no more or less intelligent than a similar-aged boy who can run or swim faster than anyone else or perform amazing tricks with a football.

One boy has mathematical intelligence, while the other has an athletic type of intelligence. Both are types of intelligence, but use different sets of skills.

Thus, our educational system needs to change its testing system, and my message for parents is to refrain from judging and comparing their children with others, and teachers should also resist criticising students in the classroom in front of their classmates and parents, based on the results of certain tests. It damages their self-esteem and confidence.

Every child is born with God-gifted capabilities and talents, which need to be recognised and nurtured so that they can flourish to their full potentials.

The goal is to identify your child’s dominant intelligence and use that avenue for learning new skills and finding the type of work that is most satisfying. Gardner says it is not a question of whether a person is intelligent, but in what way they are intelligent. The teachers and parents should help children to discover and develop their potential intelligence to have a successful career. They should be free to make career choices.

As Tony Dungy rightly says, “I believe every child is born with certain natural gifts and abilities. The challenge is to help him discover them and develop them.”

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 15th, 2022