The 9 Intelligences of MI Theory
| Intelligence | Skills and Career Preferences |
1. | Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence Well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings and rhythms of words | Skills - Listening, speaking, writing, teaching. Careers - Poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, translator |
2. | Mathematical-Logical Intelligence Ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and capacity to discern logical or numerical patterns | Skills - Problem solving (logical & math), performing experiments Careers - Scientists, engineers, accountants, mathematicians |
3. | Musical Intelligence Ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch and timber | Skills - Singing, playing instruments, composing music Careers - Musician, disc jockey, singer, composer |
4. | Visual-Spatial Intelligence Capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly | Skills - puzzle building, painting, constructing, fixing, designing objects Careers - Sculptor, artist, inventor, architect, mechanic, engineer |
5. | Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence Ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects skillfully | Skills - Dancing, sports, hands on experiments, acting Careers - Athlete, PE teacher, dancer, actor, firefighter |
6. | Interpersonal Intelligence Capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations and desires of others | Skills - Seeing from other perspectives, empathy, counseling, co-operating Careers - Counselor, salesperson, politician, business person, minister |
7. | Intrapersonal Intelligence Capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs and thinking processes | Skills - Recognize one’s S/W, reflective, aware of inner feelings Careers - Researchers, theorists, philosophers |
8. | Naturalist Intelligence Ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals and other objects in nature | Skills - Recognize one’s connection to nature, apply science theory to life Careers – Scientist, naturalist, landscape architect |
9. | Existential Intelligence Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here | Skills – Reflective and deep thinking, design abstract theories Careers – Scientist, philosopher, theologian |
