Neural Systems and Individual Differences: a Commentary on the Theory of Mulitple Intellgences

One of the major contributions of Howard Gardner’s book, Frames of Mind containing the theory of multiple intelligences was an important link between two major approaches to psychology, which were then and for the most part still are, quite separate. First, was an approach to the common mental processes and behavior of human beings and second, was the psychometrics of individual differences implicit in the term intelligences. Gardner’s effort to embed the measurement of individual difference in intelligence within a theory based on neuropsychology was of note for psychology independent from its application to education and other domains. This aspect of Frames of Mind has been underappreciated, perhaps because the two approaches continued along in their separate way in the years following the book. However, it may be time to salute Gardner by renewing his effort to forge a deeper connection between cognitive psychology and psychometrics. Current studies in cognitive neuroscience may have potential for accomplishing this goal and could also provide some new approaches to research on education.