Cognitive Science: The term cognition refers to many kinds of thinking. It treats the mind as wholly material. The cognitive sciences began as an intellectual movement in the 1950s, called the cognitive revolution. The term “cognitive” in “cognitive science” is used for “any kind of mental operation or structure that can be studied in precise terms”

Multiple Intelligences – Theory of human intelligence was first proposed by the psychologist Howard Gardner in his book Frames of Mind (1983). It says it is the proposition that individuals have the potential to develop a combination of eight separate bits of intelligence.

An individual’s cognitive capacity cannot be represented adequately in a single measurement, such as an IQ score. Because each person manifests varying levels of separate intelligence, a unique cognitive profile would be a better representation of individual strengths and weaknesses, according to this theory. It is important to note that, within this theory, every person possesses all intelligence to some degree.

Gardner’s original theoretical model included seven separate bits of intelligence, with an eighth added in 1999:

1. Linguistic
2. Musical
3. Logical-Mathematical
4. Spatial
5. Bodily-Kinesthetic
6. Interpersonal
7. Intrapersonal
8. Naturalistic

These eight bits of intelligence can be grouped into language-related, person-related, or object-related. The linguistic and musical intelligence are said to be language-related since they engage both auditory and oral functions, which Gardner argued were central to the development of verbal and rhythmic skills. Linguistic (or verbal-linguistic) intelligence, manifested both orally and in writing, is the ability to use words and language effectively. Those who possess a high degree of verbal-linguistic intelligence have an ability to manipulate sentential syntax and structure, easily acquire foreign languages, and typically make use of a large vocabulary.

Musical intelligence includes the ability to perceive and express variations in rhythm, pitch, and melody; the ability to compose and perform music; and the capacity to appreciate music and to distinguish subtleties in its form. It is similar to linguistic intelligence in its structure and origin, and it employs many of the same auditory and oral resources. Musical intelligence has ties to areas of the brain that control other intelligence as well, such as is found in the performer who has a keen bodily-kinesthetic intelligence or the composer who is adept at applying logical-mathematical intelligence toward the manipulation of ratios, patterns, and scales of music.

Person-related intelligence include both interpersonal and intrapersonal cognitive capacities. Intrapersonal intelligence is identified with self-knowledge, self-understanding, and the ability to discern one’s strengths and weaknesses as a means of guiding one’s actions. Interpersonal intelligence is manifested in the ability to understand, perceive, and appreciate the feelings and moods of others. Those with high interpersonal intelligence are able to get along well with others, work cooperatively, communicate effectively, empathize with others, and motivate others.

The four object-related bits of intelligence—logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalistic, and spatial—are stimulated and engaged by the concrete objects one encounters and the experiences one has. Those objects include physical features of the environment such as plants and animals, concrete things, and abstractions or numbers that are used to organize the environment.

Those who exhibit high degrees of logical-mathematical intelligence are able to easily perceive patterns, following a series of commands, solve mathematical calculations, generate categories and classifications, and apply those skills to everyday use. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence is manifested in physical development, athletic ability, manual dexterity, and understanding of physical wellness. It includes the ability to perform certain valuable functions, such as those of the surgeon or mechanic, as well as the ability to express ideas and feelings as artisans and performers.

Spatial intelligence, according to Gardner, is manifested in at least three ways:

(1) The ability to perceive an object in the spatial realm accurately,

(2) The ability to represent one’s ideas in a two- or three-dimensional form, and

(3) The ability to maneuver an object through space by imagining it rotated or by seeing it from various perspectives. Though spatial intelligence may be highly visual, its visual component refers more directly to one’s ability to create mental representations of reality.

Naturalistic intelligence is a later addition to Gardner’s theoretical model and is not as widely accepted as the other seven. It includes the ability to recognize plants, animals, and other parts of the natural environment as well as to see patterns and organizational structures found in nature.