The 12 types of intelligence: which one do you possess?

What are the different types of intelligence? We explain in this summary.

Intelligence is one of the most valued traits in our society, along with beauty or health. This construct is often seen as a trait that one either has or does not have, so it is common to talk about whether someone is intelligent or not. The reality is that intelligence is full of nuances..

Over the decades there has been much debate about what types of intelligence exist. What about the kid who can't pass a math test but is able to write pieces of music of infinite beauty? What about the kid who isn't good at languages but is a programming genius? Much of this debate has centered on whether there was a unitary intelligence or different types of intelligence.

In today's article, let's review the different types of intelligence that exist based on the second option of this discussion..

Different intelligence tests for different intelligence types

The truth is that intelligence is an abstract construct, which is why it has provoked great discussions among different experts.

Psychologists have long been interested in this concept and today there are different types of intelligence tests. Some of them measure what is known as the "G Factor" or unitary intelligence and others measure the different types of intelligence that we will discuss in this article. For example, logical-mathematical intelligence or linguistic intelligence..

• You can learn more about intelligence tests in our article: "Types of intelligence tests".

The 12 types of intelligence

And of course, since this construct has been studied, several theories have tried to explain what intelligence is. From Raymond Cattell's crystallized and fluid intelligence, Spearman's bifactor theory or Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences, there are many contributions that different researchers and psychology professionals have left us to help us understand how human intelligence works.

The latter theory, that of multiple intelligences, has been very influential in naming some of the most recognized intelligences and has contributed significantly to break with the paradigm of unitary intelligence.

But, what types of intelligence are there? Below is a list of the different types of intelligence.

1. Linguistic intelligence

As its name indicates, is the ability to master language.. But this type of intelligence not only includes oral language, but also writing or gestures, so it has much to do with the communicative process. People who have high linguistic intelligence have a special sensitivity for the meaning of words, word order, sounds, rhythms, meter, etc. (for example, writers or poets).

• You can learn more about this type of intelligence by reading this post: "Linguistic intelligence: what is it and how can it be improved?"

2. Logical-mathematical intelligence.

It is the ability to conceptualize the logical relationships between actions or symbols (e.g., a mathematician or scientist).. Put another way, it is the ability to reason deductively and logically and the ability to solve mathematical problems.

The psychologist Jean Piaget, when he conducted his studies, thought he was working on a Wide range of intelligences, but in reality he was studying logical-mathematical intelligence. Speed in solving mathematical problems is the most common indicator to determine how much logical-mathematical intelligence an individual possesses.

• Recommended Article: "Logical-mathematical intelligence: what is it and how can we improve it?"

3. Spatial intelligence

Spatial intelligence is defined as the human capacity to observe the world and objects from different perspectives. and, in addition, it is the ability to manipulate or create mental images in order to solve problems. This type of intelligence is composed of different skills: dynamic imagination, image manipulation, artistic graphic skills or spatial reasoning, among others. People with high spatial intelligence are very good at doing puzzles or drawing. Sculptors, architects, painters or pilots are examples of individuals with high spatial ability.

• More on this intelligence: "Spatial intelligence: what is it and how can it be improved?"

4. Musical intelligence

While some people are very good at making sculptures or painting, others are very good at making musical pieces, others have an enormous capacity for elaborating musical piecesThey recognize and compose musical tones and rhythms with great talent. These musically gifted people have a high musical intelligence, which allows them to play instruments and read or compose musical pieces with ease.

5. Body and kinesthetic intelligence

What kind of intelligence do dancers possess? Well, according to the theory of multiple intelligences they possess what is known as bodily or kinesthetic intelligence, which is the ability to use the own body, that is to say, the coordination of the corporal movements.

This type of intelligence makes visible a great connection between the mind (and emotions) and movement, and, in addition to dancers, it is often possessed by actors or athletes. Have you ever seen Leo Messi play? Surely he can't play a piece by Beethoven or make a caricature of Luis Suarez, but, with the ball at his feet, he is able to do things that are not within the reach of anyone else.

6. Intrapersonal intelligence

There are individuals who possess a remarkable ability to understand themselves, their thoughts and emotionsThere are individuals who possess a remarkable ability to understand themselves, their thoughts and emotions, and regulate their own behavior, because they are able to access and reflect on their feelings and emotions. Although intrapersonal intelligence encompasses self-knowledge and self-appreciation, it also includes understanding the human condition. Psychologists, philosophers or writers generally have a high capacity in this type of intelligence. In addition, these types of individuals tend to enjoy greater emotional and psychological well-being.

• Learn more: "Intrapersonal intelligence: what is it and how can it be improved?"

7. Interpersonal intelligence

You may have noticed that there arehere are certain individuals who have a unique ability when it comes to getting along or relating to other people.. They are individuals who use their interpersonal intelligence when interacting with others efficiently, as they are able to understand, empathize and communicate appropriately.

Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to discern the emotions and intentions of others and to interpret the words and gestures, or the objectives and goals of other people. Politicians, teachers, or actors are gifted in this type of intelligence.

• Recommended reading: "Interpersonal intelligence: definition and tips to improve it".

8. Emotional intelligence

One of the recent and great paradigms of intelligence is emotional intelligence. Although the concept of emotional intelligence was first used by the American psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer in 1990, it was Goleman who, thanks to his best-seller Emotional Intelligence (1995), made this construct famous.

Emotional intelligence comprises both intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence.It is composed of five elements: emotional self-awareness, emotional self-control, self-motivation, empathy and social skills. There are many researches that affirm that emotional intelligence brings many benefits: it minimizes the effects of stress and prevents it, improves emotional wellbeing, improves interpersonal relationships, improves work performance...

9. Naturalistic intelligence

Naturalistic intelligence refers to the sensitivity that some people show towards the natural world, as it is the ability to distinguish, order, classify, understand and use elements of the environment, objects, animals or plants.It is the ability to distinguish, order, classify, understand and use elements of the environment, objects, animals or plants. In the past, this type of intelligence was extremely important for survival. Biologists, farmers, botanists or hunters master this type of intelligence.

10. Existential intelligence

While some individuals live the day without devoting much time to the reason for things, people with high existential intelligence tend to have a high level of existential intelligence, people with high existential intelligence tend to meditate on their existence.. Such thoughts may include the meaning of life and death. Existential intelligence is known as the ninth multiple intelligence in Howard Gardner's theory, and he defines it as: "the capacity to situate oneself with respect to the cosmos and with respect to the existential features of the human condition, such as the meaning of life and death, the final destiny of the physical and psychological world in profound experiences such as love for another person".

The search for meaning, self-knowledge, possessing one's own scale of moral values, aesthetic joy or the sense of mystery are some of the manifestations of this type of intelligence, which can be cultivated through the practice of meditation, contemplation or the exercise of philosophizing and dialogue.

While some authors speak of this type of intelligence as spiritual intelligence, others, on the other hand, affirm that they are two different types of intelligence, since they can be cultivated through the practice of meditation, contemplation or the exercise of philosophizing and dialogue. existential intelligence goes far beyond spiritually positive and healthy behavior, beyond being a good person.beyond being a good person.

11. Creative intelligence

There are people who are made to work in a job that requires mechanical and monotonous work and who adapt without problems to work environments of this type. But, on the other hand there are people whose minds seem to fly, who are always one step ahead of others and who are constantly innovating..... These people have high creative intelligence.

But what characterizes people with high creative intelligence? Fluency, i.e., the ability to produce many ideas; flexibility, to see and approach situations in different ways; and originality, to produce unusual or novel responses.

• What do creative people look like? Find out in this article: "The 7 personality traits of creative people".

12. Collaborative intelligence

Recently a new concept of intelligence has appeared in the organizational environment, it is collaborative intelligence. It could be defined as the ability to choose the best option to achieve a certain goal by working together, and it is based on the idea of the "collaborative intelligence".It is based on the idea of teamwork, so necessary for today's companies.

In fact, teamwork is one of the skills most valued by recruiters, and that is why, given this new need when it comes to finding a job, many masters or courses specialized in this type of intelligence are appearing.

• If you want to go deeper into this topic, you can find all the information you need in our post: "Collaborative intelligence: what exactly is it?"