Walter's reply.....

Hi Kevin! My MI surveys show a subject's preferences as a snapshot in time. The implication is that, a subject's perceived preferences have a strong correlation to those intelligences with which s/he has the most success as a learner. Therefore, while the surveys point a teacher in the right direction as to a learner's MI profile, it is not hard science. And we would not want it to be! For too long tests which measure intelligence have been used to measure learning deficits and label people. MI is meant to empower people to help them make the most of all their strengths. MI is inversely opposed to many of the goals of traditional psychometric measurements. I understand where you're going in your questions, and it makes sense. Keep in mind, though, that a traditional IQ test focuses on the verbal and logical intelligences. So it might be more accurate to say "people who score high on IQ tests will typically also score high in the verbal and logical intelligences on MI inventories." Unfortunately this does not allow for those subjects who have extremely high levels of intelligence but can not demonstrate it through the verbal and logical paths. Therein lies the breakdown in traditional psychometric testing. As for your question about culture, consider this scenario borrowed from Tom Armstrong: Imagine a 17 year old in Chicago who is a successful student: getting good grades, working a part-time job, driving, dating, all the things that someone successful at that age would be expected to do. Now, take that student and place him or her in a Samoan fishing village. Would s/he have the skills needed to be a success in that culture? Of course not. Indeed, the Samoan culture may actually deem that 17 year old as having some deficits in learning! My point is this - the difference among cultures is not a difference in intelligence strengths - everyone has all the intelligences! The difference is what the culture VALUES in its members contributing to the good of the community. I hope this helps you in thinking through the implications for Gardner's theory! -Walter

 

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