Intelligence for the 21st Century: A Discussion of Intrapersonal and Emotional Intelligences

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the 'other intelligences' that are currently featured in educational texts and materials, to investigate the tensions between the diverse theories and to evaluate their potential in terms of improving student learning outcomes in the context of formal education. The paper discusses Gardner's personal intelligences and the most prominent theories of emotional intelligence. Gardner's changing perceptions of intrapersonal intelligence; which he nominates as the most important construct for twenty first century learners; are explored, as is the degree of accuracy with which Gardner's definitions are translated into popular texts to guide teachers in the implementation of Multiple Intelligences Theory in their classrooms in order to promote more successful learning outcomes for their students. Theories of emotional intelligence which have arisen as the result of the development of Gardner's interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence domains are also explored; notably those of Mayer and Savoley and Goldman: as are some of the current texts and articles available to educationalists seeking to promote emotional intelligence in a school context.

Fundamentals of the gifted education in the prophetic sunnah, and its relation to contemporary educational thought

“…Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences ( 1983) is a powerful model that is used to support learning in different contexts. Gardner points out that everyone has eight intelligences: Verbal / Linguistic, Logical / Mathematical, Visual /Spatial, Body / Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Musical /Rhythmic, Naturalist (Sallars, 2008). This theory emphasizes the importance of working to develop the strengths of the individual among these intelligences and does not suggest that the individual needs excellence in all these areas (Page, 2006).…”

Multiple intelligences training for counsellors: reflections on a pilot programme

“…Sellars (2008) claimed that intelligence profiles developed using MI theory are 'as unique as a fingerprint; each profile comprising a set of relative strengths and limitations ' (p. 79). Individual profiles are also made complex due to cultural and personal experiences (Gardner, 1999), in addition one intelligence is not usually developed independently from the other (Sellars, 2008). The current author proposes that understanding counselling clients may be enhanced through investigating and responding to the individual way intelligences are harnessed in communication and therapeutic process.…”

“…People who have a particular capacity with interpersonal intelligence are characterized by the ability to cooperate in groups, sensitivity to the feelings of others, and good communication skills (Sellars, 2008). Some writers refer to the combination of the interpersonal and the intrapersonal intelligences as the 'personal intelligences' (Sellars, 2008), and some writers refer to the interpersonal intelligence as the 'social intelligence' (Holekamp, 2006;Wawra, 2009).…”

“…Some writers refer to the combination of the interpersonal and the intrapersonal intelligences as the 'personal intelligences' (Sellars, 2008), and some writers refer to the interpersonal intelligence as the 'social intelligence' (Holekamp, 2006;Wawra, 2009). Almost all approaches to counselling value interpersonal connections.…”

“…The emotional intelligence construct was developed by Salovey and Mayer (1990) to focus on a subset of a combination of Gardner's intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligences, but being closer to the intrapersonal (Sellars, 2008). Emotional intelligence has been found to be closely connected with successful interpersonal relationships (Schutte et al, 2001), especially correlated with empathic perspective taking, self-monitoring, social skills, and marital satisfaction.…”