Do Age and Gender Influence Multiple Intelligences?

Abstract

In the theory of multiple intelligences put forth by Howard Gardner, initially, he classified 7 intelligences (logical, linguistic, musical, visual, kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal) and later added another 2 (naturalistic, existential). In this study our aim was to explore whether or not there is a correlation between these 9 intelligence types and individuals' age and gender. We used cluster sampling to select participants for the study from students in grades 10, 11 and 12 at 4 high schools in the Famagusta and Iskele Districts, Northern Cyprus. We used the Multiple Intelligences Inventory and performed independent samples t test and analysis of variance. We found statistically significant differences for verbal, kinesthetic, existential, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist intelligences according to gender and statistically significant differences for visual, logical, intrapersonal, naturalist, and existential intelligences according to age.