Q: What are multiple intelligences?

A: In 1983, Dr. Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences, which states that there is more than one type of intelligence. The list of intelligences is based upon specific criteria and continues to evolve over time. The intelligences found within TruTalent Intelligences are: bodily-kinesthetic, existential, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, naturalist and spatial. Read more about each intelligence.

Q: What are the intelligences found in TruTalent Intelligences?

A: TruTalent Intelligences looks at bodily-kinesthetic, existential, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, naturalist and spatial. Read more about each intelligence.

Q: How long does it take to complete TruTalent Intelligences?

A: It will typically take 20 minutes or less to complete the 54 questions in TruTalent Intelligences.

Q: How were careers matched to the intelligences?

A: The intelligences in TruTalent Intelligences are mapped to a database of over 900 O*NET-based career profiles. The correlations were devised by a team of consultants with expertise in psychometrics, multiple intelligences and vocational research. They used the typical tasks associated with each specific occupation to connect it to the intelligences.

Q: What does the TruTalent Intelligences report contain?

A: The personalized report consists of four main sections, which include:

• a description of each intelligence and its related strengths and challenges
• a selection of famous people who exemplify each intelligence
• a slider bar that illustrates the individual’s orientation towards each intelligence
• a list of the top 10 careers for each intelligence
• advice for using and improving each intelligence in school
• recommendations for developing strengths and using them to improve challenge areas
• information on emotional intelligence (EI), including a self-rating and recommendations for developing the 14 traits of EI
• career matches based on the individual’s strongest intelligences, including career clusters and pathways
• badges to track progress and reward individuals for working through each section

Q: What criteria are used to define an intelligence?

A: Dr. Howard Gardner defined the criteria for an intelligence as:

• the potential for brain isolation by brain damage
• its place in evolutionary history
• the presence of core operations
• susceptibility to encoding (symbolic expression)
• a distinct developmental progression
• the existence of savants, prodigies and other exceptional people
• support from experimental psychology and psychometric findings

Source: Wikipedia

Q: Is there any research on schools using multiple intelligences?

A: Project SUMIT (Schools Using Multiple Intelligences Theory) studied 42 schools that had been using MI theory for at least three years. The researchers found that:

• 78% of the schools reported positive standardized test outcomes (5/8 attributed the improvement to practices inspired by MI theory)
• 78% of the schools reported improved performance by students with learning difficulties
• 80% of the schools reported improvement in parent participation (3/4 attributed the increase to MI theory)
• 81% of the schools reported improvement in student discipline (2/3 attributed the improvement to MI theory)

According to Howard Gardner, “Even if these figures show a positive spin, they are based on hard data; and it is not possible for an impartial party to dismiss these results.”

Q: What should I know about using multiple intelligences theory and TruTalent Intelligences?

A:

1. Every individual possesses all of the intelligences to some degree.
2. Highly developed intelligences can be used in many ways to optimize success.
3. It is always possible to further develop intelligences — both strengths and challenge areas.
4. Intelligence profiles can change as intelligences develop.

Q: What does TruTalent Intelligences include?

A: TruTalent Intelligences includes accounts with portfolios for all registered users, a complete individual emotional intelligence (EI) and multiple intelligences (MI) assessment and report, a career center with over 900 careers, and professional tools for education and career counselors and administrators.