What is your Intelligence Type? – The 9 Types Explained

By popular request we’ve expanded the quiz with this companion article containing more background information on the types and the theory.

Have you ever taken a “traditional” IQ-test? A lot of those tests are aimed primarily at testing spatial, verbal or mathematical intelligence, but do not take many other factors into account. American psychologist Howard Gardner thought this was quite strange, as there are many ways to be intelligent that are not necessarily measurable with either of the three named dimensions. That’s when he devised his “theory of multiple intelligences” in which he describes 9 general areas in which people can be proficient. According to him, if you score low on a normal intelligence test, it does not mean you’re not smart, it just means you might not be as proficient in these 3 areas as you are in one of the other 6.

We all know everyone has their talents, but what type of intelligence is your strong feature?

1. Naturalist intelligence

Think of Katniss Everdeen, or several other characters from the Hunger Games, such as Foxface and Gale Hawthorne. People with a high naturalist intelligence would be very good at surviving in the wild. They have a cunning ability to distinguish between things like plants and animals, and features of nature such as rocks and clouds. In our modern, city oriented life, people with a high natural intelligence can also be very good at distinguishing between different kinds of makeup, cars, shoes, smart phones, and those kinds of things. They are good at noticing changes and details in their surroundings, guessing the overall amount of something (for example the amount of sweets in a bag, or the weight of a certain object), and finding a specific kind of sweet in a mixed bowl.

2. Musical intelligence

Having a high musical intelligence indicates you’re very good at things to do with sounds. These can include characteristics such as rhythm, tone and pitch. If you’ve got a high musical intelligence you’re good at recognizing, creating and reproducing music. You might even have a high mathematical intelligence too, as these two thing often involve similar thought processes. You are often aware of sounds or sound characteristics others may miss. If you happen to play an instrument and have a high musical intelligence too, you’re probably quite good at playing by ear too.

3. Logical-Mathematical intelligence (Reasoning and Numbers)

If you have a high logical-mathematical intelligence your strong point is likely to be related to abstract thought and reasoning. People with a high score on Logical-Mathematical intelligence are good at abstract-symbolic thought (using letters in formulas to indicate relationships between factors), reasoning skills such as inductive and deductive reasoning. They are good at considering hypotheses, carrying out calculations and quantifying data.

4. Existential intelligence

People with a high existential intelligence are good philosophical thinkers. They are good at philosophising and thinking about questions that might not have a real, definite answer. They have a sensitivity towards the deeper questions of life and like challenging related concepts. They’re not easily confused by their own feelings.

5. Interpersonal Intelligence (‘people smart’)

People with a high interpersonal intelligence are often good at communicating effectively with others. They are good at noticing shifts in others’ moods and motives, as well as taking multiple perspectives on a subject. They often score high on ‘empathy’ and do particularly  well in socially oriented work such as teaching, social work, acting and politics related things such as ambassadors for a cause.                                                                                              

Find out your own type in the quiz by clicking here: 9 Types of Intelligence Quiz

6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (motoric, body intelligence)

People with a high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence are good at manipulating their own body to achieve what they want. This does not mean artificial manipulation, but manipulation in the sense that they are good at placing their body parts precisely, or moving with precision and purpose. These people are often good at sports (such as dance, baseball, gymnastics or football). In ball sports for example, those with higher bodily-kinesthetic intelligence tend to have a better aim. In sports such as dance and gymnastics, people with this skill tend to have a more precise technique. People with this skill are also good at copying movements they’ve seen.

7. Linguistic intelligence (language smart)

People with high linguistic intelligence are, as you might expect, good at using and manipulating the medium of language. It means that they are better than average at understanding subtle differences in meaning. They tend to pick up new words and languages quicker than others. Their pronunciation in foreign languages is also above average, as they are more attuned to subtle sound differences that denote a difference in meaning. It’s a widely shared skill, often found in people that work in journalism, teaching or even public speaking. Furthermore, people with a high linguistic intelligence tend to have a broader vocabulary than average. Children and young adults with a high linguistic intelligence tend to be drawn to language orientated activities such as reading, writing, word puzzles and telling stories.

8. Intra-personal intelligence (self-insight)

People with a high intra-personal intelligence are good at understanding their own feelings and thoughts, and working them to achieve their goals. They are good at intrinsic motivation (motivating themselves from the inside out without any visible/physical reward). It involves more than just understanding and planning their goals, but also a less definite appreciation of the human condition. People with a high intra-personal intelligence are often good philosophers and psychologists.

9. Spatial intelligence

People with a high spatial intelligence are good at things that require mental manipulations of  physical perspectives. These people tend to be very skilled at map reading, jigsaw puzzles and seeing or drawing objects and situations from a different perspective (without necessarily having seen it from that perspective). They do not easily get lost, and are often good at working their way around a maze. Spatial reasoning, image manipulation and even graphic and artistic skills are often well developed in people with a high special intelligence. People with this skill are often good at sailing, being a pilot, sculpting, painting, or designing architectural features and spaces. Young people with good spatial intelligence are often drawn to visually stimulating activities, like drawing.

Find out your own type in the quiz by clicking here: 9 Types of Intelligence Quiz

Want to learn more about psychology?

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Which temperament are you sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic or choleric? Take the quiz and find out: http://localhost:8888/test/which-of-the-4-temperaments-are-you/

Do you know your Pavlovian response from your neutral stimulus? Can you beat your friends’ scores in this super tough quiz about Psychological Conditioning? http://localhost:8888/test/can-you-get-12-12-on-this-tough-quiz-about-psychological-conditioning/ 

How to really bring your writing to life: http://localhost:8888/test/five-psychological-writing-tips/