Howard Gardner (developmental psychologist)
Howard Gardner is an influential American developmental psychologist renowned for his groundbreaking theory of multiple intelligences, which revolutionized the understanding of human cognitive abilities. Born on July 11, 1943, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Gardner's work challenges the traditional view that intelligence can be quantified by a single measure, such as IQ. Instead, he posited that individuals possess diverse types of intelligence—originally seven, later expanded to nine—each characterized by distinct skills and abilities that contribute to problem-solving and creativity in various contexts.
Gardner's seminal book, *Frames of Mind*, published in 1983, laid the foundation for this theory and has significantly impacted both psychology and education. His research emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing individual learning styles, leading to the development of alternative curricula and teaching methods in schools. Throughout his career, Gardner has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Grawemeyer Award in Education and a Guggenheim Fellowship.
In addition to his academic achievements, he has published extensively, including works that explore the intersection of education and ethics. Gardner has continued to influence education policy through initiatives like Project Zero, which focuses on enhancing educational practices in the arts and multiple intelligences. His contributions have reshaped the educational landscape, underscoring the value of diverse perspectives in learning.
On this Page
Howard Gardner (developmental psychologist)
Professor and developmental psychologist
- Born: July 11, 1943
- Place of Birth: Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Education: Harvard University
Significance: Howard Gardner is an American developmental psychologist who is best known for identifying different types of human intelligence. His work has had important effects on psychology and the field of education.
Background
Howard Gardner was born on July 11, 1943, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Gardner's parents, Ralph and Hilde Gardner, left Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1938. Gardner's parents faced many traumatic incidents before Gardner was born. Both his parents were German Jews, and they realized in 1934 when Adolf Hitler came to power that they should leave Germany. The family finally reached the United States in 1938. While in the United States, the Gardners' first son, Eric, died in a sledding accident. Gardner was born after his brother's death. Despite his parents' hardships, Gardner has said that he lived a happy childhood, even if he was not a very social child. He had a small group of good friends and enjoyed spending time alone. He was artistic and loved to paint.
Gardner began attending Harvard University in 1961 and studied social relations, and he earned his doctoral degree there in psychology in 1971. Initially considering entering the field of clinical psychology after graduation, he decided to pursue cognitive and developmental psychology after working with professor Jerome Bruner. He worked at Clark University for a time after receiving his PhD. In 1981 he received the MacArthur Prize Fellowship for his work. The money from this award helped him continue researching without teaching for a number of years. In 1991 he became an adjunct professor of psychology at Harvard. Obtaining a position as a professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education, he continued his research and worked on, as well as co-directed, Project Zero, which aimed to improve education. Also a cofounder of The Good Project, he was part of initiatives designed to provide students with tools and education related to ethics. Eventually, he earned the title of John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Research Professor of Cognition and Education. In 2019, he retired from teaching.
At the same time, Gardner continued writing, publishing many books throughout his career. He coauthored the book The App Generation in 2013. This book explores the lives and minds of adolescents living with modern technology compared with adolescents in the past. After his memoir, A Synthesizing Mind, came out in 2020, he worked with researcher Wendy Fischman to collect their findings, from a study they had conducted through primary research, particularly interviews, on stakeholders' perspectives of the status of college education in America. Together, they published The Real World of College: What Higher Education Is and What It Can Be (2022). To recognize the importance of his contributions to both education and intelligence, Teachers College Press put out the essay collections The Essential Howard Gardner on Education and The Essential Howard Gardner on Mind in 2024.
Gardner has been noted as a leading psychologist in the United States. His groundbreaking work has been awarded several times. In 1990 he received the Grawemeyer Award in Education. He also received a Guggenheim Fellowship (2000), the Prince of Asturias Award (2011), and the Brock International Prize in Education (2015). In 2020, the American Educational Research Association honored him with the Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award.
Life's Work
In 1983 Gardner published the book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Before the book, many medical and psychology professionals believed that only one type of human intelligence existed. Most believed that this single form of intelligence could be measured through standardized testing. Gardner refuted this idea in Frames of Mind. The book was groundbreaking in psychology, as it turned traditional thinking on its head. Gardner claimed that people could be intelligent in different ways.
Based on his research, Gardner came to believe that intelligence is made up of skills that help people solve problems and abilities to create products or services that are valued in a society. He believes the intelligence quotient (IQ) test used for many years was fundamentally flawed because it did not measure all types of intelligence. Gardner outlined seven types of intelligence in his 1983 book. In 1999 Gardner published another book, titled Intelligence Reframed. This book expanded on his beliefs about intelligence. It also presented two new types of human intelligence, bringing the total to nine. Gardner explained each type with different attributes.
- Verbal-linguistic intelligence. People with this type of intelligence typically have highly developed verbal skills. They are often good at writing, listening, and speaking.
- Mathematical-logical intelligence. People with this type of intelligence are able to think abstractly, and they often can use numbers and numerical patterns. They are good at problem-solving, including mathematics.
- Musical intelligence. People with this type of intelligence have highly developed musical skills, including good rhythm and pitch. They are often good at composing music and playing instruments.
- Visual-spatial intelligence. People with this type of intelligence can think abstractly and in pictures. They are often good at making and fixing objects.
- Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. People with this type of intelligence are good at controlling their body movements and at handling objects. They are often good at athletics and dancing.
- Interpersonal intelligence. People with this type of intelligence can help people understand and respond to other people and their emotions. They are usually good at empathizing with others and cooperating.
- Intrapersonal intelligence. People with this type of intelligence are good at understanding their own thinking processes and feelings. They are often good at reflecting on themselves and recognizing their own value.
- Naturalist intelligence. People with this type of intelligence can recognize and categorize objects and organisms in nature. They are often good at applying science to real life.
- Existential intelligence. People with this type of intelligence try to tackle important questions about life and human nature. They are often good at philosophy.
Impact
Because of Gardner's work, people began to appreciate the fact that humans learn in different ways. His work has had important implications in the field of education. Some schools in the United States developed new curriculums and teaching methods based on his work, and his work at Harvard and on Project Zero continued to allow him to make an impact on education policy. The project focuses on research in the arts, multiple intelligences, and other areas that help improve education.
Personal Life
Gardner married and later divorced Judy Krieger. They had three children, Kerith, Jay, and Andrew. Gardner married Ellen Winner in 1982. They had one child, Benjamin.
Bibliography
"About Howard." Howard Gardner, www.howardgardner.com/about. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Anderson, Margaret. "The 9 Intelligences of MI Theory." State University of New York Cortland, web.cortland.edu/andersmd/learning/MI%20Table.htm. Accessed 28 Feb. 2017.
"Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences." Encyclopedia of School Psychology. Edited by T. Stuart Watson and Christopher H. Skinner, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2004.
"Judith Gardner, 51, Child Psychologist." The New York Times, 1 Dec. 1994, www.nytimes.com/1994/12/01/obituaries/judith-gardner-51-child-psychologist.html. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Strauss, Valerie. "Howard Gardner: 'Multiple Intelligences' Are Not 'Learning Styles.'" The Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2013, www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2013/10/16/howard-gardner-multiple-intelligences-are-not-learning-styles/?utm‗term=.b3c9c1fd192c. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Tian, Katie B. "Howard Gardner '65 Named Harvard Graduate School of Education's 2024 Convocation Speaker." The Harvard Crimson, 23 Apr. 2024, www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/4/23/gse-gardner-convocation-speaker-2024/. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Winner, Ellen. "Gardner, Howard." Encyclopedia of Applied Developmental Science. Edited by Celia B Fisher and Richard M. Lerner, Sage Publications, 2005.