📌 Key takeaways
- In 1983 Howard Gardner proposed that humans have several relatively independent intelligences — such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic.
- It resonates with the intuition that people have different strengths and that schools overvalue a narrow slice of ability.
- Many psychologists argue the "intelligences" are better described as talents or abilities, and that they still correlate, undermining full independence.
- Gardner’s theory broadened public thinking about ability, but mainstream science still finds a general factor across his domains.
What did Gardner propose?
In 1983 Howard Gardner proposed that humans have several relatively independent intelligences — such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic.
Why is it popular?
It resonates with the intuition that people have different strengths and that schools overvalue a narrow slice of ability. Educators embraced it widely.
What do critics say?
Many psychologists argue the "intelligences" are better described as talents or abilities, and that they still correlate, undermining full independence. Empirical support is contested.
What is the verdict?
Gardner’s theory broadened public thinking about ability, but mainstream science still finds a general factor across his domains. It is influential rather than settled.
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📅 Last updated: 2026-06-18 · ✔ Reviewed by the All-Lifes editorial team · About · Methodology