Seven Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Multiple Intelligences

by Thomas Armstrong

Book Overview

Based on psychologist Howard Gardner's pioneering theory of "multiple intelligences," the original edition of 7 Kinds of Smart identified seven distinct ways of being smart, including "word smart," "music smart," "logic smart," and "people smart." Now, with the addition of two new kinds of smart--"naturalist" and "existential"--7 Kinds of Smart offers even more interesting information about how the human psyche functions. Complete with...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452281377
• ISBN13: 9780452281370
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

I feel smarter already

This is a great book. It not only corrects the wrongful thinking of the value of IQ tests, it shows you what real smarts are and how to develop those areas.For anyone that has children, that think and excel in different areas from each other, this book gives you hope and direction that everyone can be anything they want to be if they put their minds to it.

Forget about IQ, EQ, etc. There are at least 7 intelligences

Ever wondered why some are good at sports and others not? We say that they have a "talent". Armstrong tells us that this is in fact an intelligence, and we have seven of them. Some people are good at maths, others at music and some with a ball. Think about what this means! There are no losers; only people which are more gifted in one area than another.Now the great thing is that you if you're not "talented" in an area you can still learn how to develop that intelligence. Maybe you always wanted to play the piano but because you were dismissed as a musicians in your early years by a notorious music teacher, you have always been very reluctant to start learning. You know, you still can do it!As your seven intelligences are set at different levels, you can choose which ones that are important to you and develop these. I have even started to categorize things I do into these intelligences to see what kind of improvements I make.

Refreshingly optimistic and straightforward

There's literally a little something for everyone in this book, which popularizes the cognitive psychological work of Howard Gardner, whom Armstrong goes out of his way to credit with developing the theory of multiple intelligences.That little something should be a comfort to all of us -- we each are smart in our own way. Gardner has identified seven specific types of intelligence that all human beings have access to in varying degrees. Armstrong's very welcome addition is to help lay readers understand what qualities are embodied in each intelligence and how to gauge our own specific level in each category.He also explains that we need not be limited by those intelligences that are least developed in us. It is never too late to take up activities that will help us cultivate each of the seven primary intelligences and, in the process, have fun, experience personal growth and enjoy life.Gardner is, from what I've read, still tinkering with adding more types of intelligences to his original list of seven. This edition of Armstrong's book lists two new possibilities -- naturalistic intelligence and existential intelligence -- and explains Gardner's criteria for identifying intelligences that can be added to the list.This is not a feel-good, self-help book. The theory of multiple intelligences could be a major breakthrough in cognitive psychology and certainly warrants further research. Armstrong's gift is to make those of us who don't toil in the groves of psychological academe aware of Howard Gardner's work and its potential impact on our individual lives.Buy the book, read it and think about the intelligences you have most developed. Think about others around you and their hierarchy of developed intelligences. It doesn't take long to realize that everyone -- from a king to a pauper -- can lay valid claim to a unique genius composed of their levels of development in the various identified intelligences, their life experiences and the choices they make. If nothing else, multiple intelligences should remind us forcefully that everyone deserves our respect as human beings.

A must read for teachers and parents

This book is a delightful way to learn more about Gardner's MI theory. The exercises are fun. The lists at the end of each section generate a lot of wonderful ideas for ways to discover more about your child's intelligences (or your own, for that matter). As a teacher of grades 7 -11, I found this book invaluable!

What They Don't Teach You At College

For people interested in learning more about multiple intelligences without the lengthy sentences and academic verbosity, this is a great book. Not only is it simple in its text, but it's also fun to read because of the exercises and tests included for each intelligence. You learn that in real life there is no one true way to label a "smart" person, and for the more unconventional and unusual among us this is good news! You can realize and apply your talents to everyday life, and try to develop the intelligences in which you are not as strong. So when you look at your old high school report cards or college transcripts and groan loudly in disgust, throw them in the trash and read this book