Preview

Differences between Spearman and Gardner

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
585 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Differences between Spearman and Gardner
The differences between Spearman and Gardner

Shaun Kelly

American Intercontinental University

The differences between Spearman and Gardner

Edward Spearman 's name is almost synonymous with general intelligence, or "g" for short. He invented the first form of factor analysis, and proposed a two-factor theory of intelligence. He had sort of a math formula that said every activity involves a general factor plus a specific factor. (G + S). From these theories, he said that people who do well on intelligence tests also do well on a variety of intellectual tasks. "Vocabulary and mathematical and spatial abilities". (Wilderdom, 2003). So for example of "g", Spearman would theorize that people who score well on a verbal test have a lot of intelligence, but they are affected by their abilities to perform verbal tasks. In laments terms, if you scored well on a verbal test, you studied and have the brain capacity to understand and comprehend the material.

Howard Gardner on the other hand has a different point of view on intelligence. Instead of one main intelligence to focus on, he has seven. "Verbal, Mathematical, Musical, Spatial, Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, and intrapersonal functioning 's" (Wilderdom, 2003). While these are all forms of intelligence, they function separately he argues. Gardner goes a different route than Spearman basing he theories on biological facts. "Premise 1: If it can be found that certain brain parts can distinctively map with certain cognitive functioning, then that cognitive functioning can be isolated as one candidate of multiple intelligences. Premise 2: Now it has been found that certain brain parts do distinctively map with certain cognitive functioning, as evidenced by certain brain damage leading to loss of certain cognitive function" (Washington U, 2002). These theories give a basis for multiple intelligences. Biologically, Gardner determines that the brain is the major player in the equation. For example; if a person was physically



References: Spearman "g", (2003). Retrieved on June 26th 2004, from, http://www.wilderdom.com/personality/L1-5KeyPlayers.html. Han S. Palik, One intelligence or many? (2002). Retrieved on June 25th 2004, from http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/paik.html.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Learning Styles

    • 1862 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Howard Gardner is a professor at Harvard who has studied the idea of intelligence in a way that links research and personal experience (Traub 1). He began speaking about “multiple intelligence’s” in 1983. Since then, he has won a Macarthur “genius” grant, he has written books, which have been translated into twenty languages, and he gives about seventy-five speeches a year (Truab 1). His ideas have been backed and popularized by many groups seeking to reform the current educational system. The idea is we know a child who scores well on tests is smart, but that doesn’t mean a child who does not score well is not getting the information or is incapable of getting it (Traub1). Gardner’s goal is to turn what we normally think of as intelligence into…

    • 1862 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The theory has been met with mixed responses. Traditional intelligence tests and psychometrics have generally found high correlations between different tasks and aspects of intelligence, rather than the low correlations which Gardner's theory predicts. Nevertheless many educationalists support the practical value of the approaches suggested by the theory.[1]…

    • 3598 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    June 17, 2012 Intelligence is a difficult term to define. It seems, at first, to be so clear that we all know what is intelligence. Once we start trying to define it the term seems amorphous, changing with each passing thought. British psychologist Charles Spearman concluded that intelligence is general cognitive ability that could be measured and numerically expressed. Dr. Spearman used Factor Analysis to evaluate multiple aptitude tests. He identified that people who scored well on one test would score well on others, while those who scored poorly on one test would score poorly on others.…

    • 1257 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    (Myers, 2010, pg 406) Since the mid-1980’s, some psychologists have sought to extend the definition of intelligence beyond Spearman’s and Thurstone’s academic smarts. “Howard Garner views intelligence as multiple abilities that come in packages”. (Myers, 2010, pg 407) Robert Sternberg agrees that there is more to success than traditional intelligence, and he agrees with Gardner’s idea of multiple intelligences. “However, he proposes a triarchic theory of three, not eight. They are analytical intelligence, creative intelligence, and practical intelligence”. (Myers, 2010, pg 411) The author David Myers discussed that intelligence test scores maybe misinterpreted as literal measures of a person’s worth and potential. He argued that we must remember the competence that general intelligence tests sample is important, but it only reflects one aspect of personal competence. Our practical and emotional intelligence are important too, as do the other forms of creativity, talent and character. Genetic and environmental influences shaped our intelligence, and thus there are many ways of being successful, our differences are variations of human adaptability. (Myers, 2010, pg 439)…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In 1983 Dr. Howard Gardner, a Harvard Psychologist, developed the theory of multiple intelligences. His theory expanded the limits of the traditional I.Q. tests, so as to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. The theory includes 9 different intelligences; verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, bodily kinesthetic, musical-rhythmic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and existential.…

    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Multiple Intelligences

    • 1253 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Multiple Intelligences In 1983, Howard Gardner, a Harvard University professor, changed the way people perceive intelligence and learning with his theory of Multiple Intelligences. Intelligence is an ability to solve problems or fashion products that are useful in a particular cultural setting or community. Gardner believed that there are at least eight intelligences possessed by all people, and that every person has developed some intelligence more fully than others. According to this theory, when you find a task or subject easy, you are probably using a more fully developed intelligence. Using a less developed intelligence is considered when you have trouble. “The theory distinguishes eight kinds of intelligence: musical, bodily/kinesthetic, spatial, linguistic or verbal, logical/mathematical, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. Gardner argues that intelligences can be isolated based on a number of criteria, including their neurological independence, the presence of savants (who are severely deficient in major intellectual respects but have pockets of giftedness), and their different developmental courses. Someone could be a brilliant mathematician but inhabit the lowest percentiles of interpersonal intelligence.” (Kowalski & Western, 2009.) To learn successfully, one would need to maximize their strengths and compensate for the weaknesses.…

    • 1253 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Week 3 Psychology

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages

    People who performed well on one cognitive test tended to perform well on other tests, while those who scored badly on one test tended to score badly on others. He concluded that intelligence is general cognitive ability that could be measured and numerically expressed.…

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Spearman vs Gardner

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Spearman vs. Gardner Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences suggests that there are seven different forms of intelligence. They are Linguistic intelligence which involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. Logical-mathematical intelligence consists of the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically. In Howard Gardner's words, it entails the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking. (Gardner 1999) Musical intelligence involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the capacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence entails the potential of using one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements. Spatial intelligence involves the potential to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas. Interpersonal intelligence is concerned with the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people. It allows people to work effectively with others. Intrapersonal intelligence entails the capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations. This involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives.…

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    General intelligence is also known as the g factor. To be labeled as intelligent would correlate with a high g factor. There are also the theories of multiple intelligences, which include Gardner's eight intelligences and Sternberg's three intelligences. Gardner's eight intelligences include abilities in linguistics, logical-mathematics, music, spatial awareness, body-kin esthetics, interpersonal relations, interpersonal relations, and nature. Gardner views intelligence as multiple abilities that come in different packages. For example, in the cases of people with Savant Syndrome who often score low on intelligence testing, yet have one area of intense brilliance, such as the Rain Man. Sternberg's three intelligences include Analytical(academic problem-solving), Creative intelligence, and Practical intelligence. Analytical intelligence is assessed by intelligence testing, with question having only one correct answer. Creative intelligence is shown by how people react to new situations and create new ideas. Practical intelligence is needed for every day problem-solving, with problems having many possible answers.…

    • 1183 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    By isolating the intelligences, Gardner focuses on the idea of savants and brain damage to prove his theory that the intelligences are totally separate. Eliminating part of the brain would still allow for someone to be successful and intelligent at spatial abilities. His idea is that even if a person lost their ability to speak or the ability to use their hands, that their other intelligences could possibly still work at a high level. I agree with his theory, however I think the intelligences overlap more then he may believe. Linguistic intelligence seems to have a basis in spatial intelligence also. Many students might…

    • 1298 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Nature of Intelligence Intelligence is an intrapersonal phenomenon, that is inside a person and it is generally agreed that the nature of this energy is unknown. Nevertheless, it may be known by its mental products (Groth-Marnet, 1997; Wechsler, 1939). Because there are many different ways to be intelligent there have also been many different definitions proposed (see Neiser, et al., 1996 for summary). A consensus on what constitutes intelligence is generally lacking. Alfred Binet (1908), the author of one of the first modern intelligence tests, defined intelligence as the inclination to take and maintain a specific direction, and capacity to adapt to achieve a goal outcome, and the power of autocriticism (Kaplan, & Saccuzzo, 2005). In contrast, David Wechsler, the developer of the Wechsler scales, defined intelligence as the aggregate capacity to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with the environment (Wechsler, 1958 as cited in Kaplin, & Saccuzzo). A review by Sternberg, (2005) of intelligence literature over the past century by psychologists and intelligence experts reveals two…

    • 4122 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Robert J. Sternberg, Eysenck and Scarr have criticized Howard Gardner theory of multiple intelligences. It has been said that Howard Gardner had not expanded on the word intelligence, but rather denies the existence of intelligence as traditionally understood, and instead uses the word "intelligence" where other people have traditionally used words like "ability" and "aptitude".…

    • 55 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Spearman believes that no matter what the single factor is, it can be defined as intelligence (Wade & Tavris, 2006). This means that he believes the human mind processes information and people react to different situations on one single factor in the brain. He does not believe like Gardner does, that the brain has different parts that control different aspects of human intelligence. But, whereas, Gardner believes that there are seven different areas of the brain so therefore, there are seven different forms of intelligence, they are: linguistic, musical, spatial, bodily, interpersonal, intrapersonal and logic-mathematical (Plucker, 2003). He believes that each is related to different portions of the brain. For example, he explains that people with brain damage in one area of the brain, does not mean they lose their competence in other areas of the brain (Wade & Tavris, 2006). He also, unlike Spearman, thinks that if someone had a disability in one area that they are able to be productive in other different areas.…

    • 1038 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The question of intelligence being a single ability or multiple has taken a long and ongoing debate where researchers like Charlie Spearman, who helped develop factor analysis, believed that there was something called general intelligence ‘g’ factor that underlines the fact that, even you are have special ability to stand out, generally people who score higher in one aspect usually score higher on other aspects too. Spearman also believed that this communality, the ‘g’ factor, underlies all our intelligence behaviour since birth.…

    • 982 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Gardner explains there is a vast amount of cognitive abilities. He explains, for example, that just because a student might learn a task fairly easy doesn’t necessarily mean that person is more intelligent than another. Someone who takes more time completely understand or master a task may just be using a different approach that fits their learning needs. It might be best for that particular student to learn through different approach. Students may also be better in a different field or could even understand the task buy just analyzing it on a deeper lever. Sometimes understanding something on a deeper level can make a student appear to be slow. Gardner believes that intelligence is more than an IQ score. He sees it as being a process.…

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays