9 Types of Intelligence (2024)

Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart)

Ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings is called linguistic intelligence. This form of intelligence is the most common amongst humans. In fact this is the form of intelligence that has allowed us to evolve into the most advanced species on the planet. Before we could speak, we were hardly distinguishable from animals. Speaking from a psychological point of view, we couldn’t jump to higher forms of intelligence before we could learn to speak and communicate.
Linguistic intelligence is not just about words, puzzles and winning spelling bees. It is about the ability to use a language and express complex thoughts with it. Public speakers, politicians, journalists, novelists, writers, all such folk that use a language for their profession effectively usually posess great linguistical intelligence.
People who possess this form of intelligence normally enjoy the subtle meanings of poetry and literature. They enjoy word puzzles, articles and anything worth reading. Those that enjoy these kind of activities are usually considered word smart.
Picking up on a language you don’t understand is another quality of linguistically intelligent people. You must have noticed that some people spend little time in a foreign country and learn very useful phrases of its language. The curiosity or the skill to learn a language quickly can also be attributed to linguistic intelligence.

Naturalistic Intelligence (Nature Smart)

Human sensitivity to the natural world, have you ever met someone who was really good with animals? Or who had a “green thumb”? Today they can be a chef or a botanist. In simpler words, naturalistic intelligence defines human psychology and connection to Mother Nature. You keep on hearing about “animal instincts”, that notion is incorrect. Those instincts are human instincts but are due to naturalistic intelligence that we have.
It is not just about playing with animals; it is the ability to uniquely see everything nature has to offer from animals, plants, clouds, mountains, valleys, desserts etc. It is worth noting that naturalistic intelligence doesn’t refer to expertise or study in the field of botany or zoology, it is based on your natural instincts and how you are able to connect with the nature. In old times gone by, naturalistic intelligence was considered vital. In fact, it was pivotal for man’s survival. Hunting, making homes, protection – everything needed a connection with nature.
Another aspect of naturalistic intelligence is the fact that every human being is naturally born with this form of intelligence even if someone doesn’t strike you as animal or nature lover. We all have a sense of how nature operates. And if a person is a mountaineer, hiker, traveller, botanist or veterinarian – his naturalistic intelligence will automatically rise.

Musical Intelligence (Music Smart)

Ability to recognize tone, rhythm, timbre, pitch and more – that’s called musical intelligence. As with other forms on intelligence this too varies from person to person. Some people are “magically” drawn to music, they cannot help it and they even recognize song tunes from random noises that are made while a tree is being cut. People who are obsessed with musical sounds and other sounds in general are people who are more “musically intelligent” than others.
Such people can sense sounds, recognize them, hear them, seek them out, distinguish them – sounds that most people aren’t even aware of. The musical intelligence supremacy is not due to medical conditions, for example better ear muscles. The ability to be musically smart is purely psychological. It is both natural and can be developed by personal efforts.
You must have noticed that some people are great at mimicking or reproducing a sound, voice or music. They are musically very intelligent. They are able to “process” music and sounds in a way that their brain can analyze them. One they are able to analyze the frequency, pitch, accent and other aspects of the sound, these people are able to replicate them. Most people develop a selective musical intelligence by copying voices of their favorite actor or singer.

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart)

Ability to calculate, quantify, consider proportions and hypothesis, and carry out complete mathematical operations – this is called “Logical Mathematical Intelligence”. Math comes naturally to some people; surely you’ve had a class-fellow of yours who would answer very quickly and accurately to your teacher. Do you remember that fellow who won every argument by throwing in numbers and statistics? We all know people whose brains seem to be like calculators. Those who have such sharp brains and can process mathematical queries quickly are logically and mathematically intelligent to a greater degree.
People who are mathematically intelligent are also known to have general intelligence, in scientific terms called “fluid intelligence”. Your mates who had this quality are probably scientists, doctors or engineers now, right?
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence can be developed to a certain extent, it can also be transferred from genes. However surveys have surprisingly shown that a brilliant person is more likely to be born with logical-mathematical intelligence than to develop it, most people surveyed were not smart because of education or genes, they were just smart for no reason.

Existential Intelligence

Existential intelligence, sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as meaning of life, why do we die, how did we get here – let’s get philosophical shall we? Do you often ask yourself these questions? Do you feel the need to explore more than what you have been taught religiously? Does human existence fascinate you? – If yes than you are existentially intelligent.
Most people go on about their lives without giving all this serious thought. They are either happy to keep such questions out of their lives or content to carry on with the religious/spiritual beliefs they were born with. People who ask too many questions about God, existence are often very intelligent generally. It has been surveyed that people who pose religious questions and contradictions normally have a high IQ. When was the last time you met an Atheist/Agnostic who was very dull? - Very unlikely that you ever have met such a person. The reason for that is that it takes an intelligent mind to pose a question. You don’t have to be right about Atheism, Agnosticism or following a religion, but to pose a question about any belief (or even lack of it) is a trait of a person who thinks outside the box. Existential intelligence is often called moral or spiritual intelligence.

Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart)

Ability to understand and interact effectively with others is called interpersonal intelligence. This is perhaps the most enviable form of intelligence. You must have noticed that some people just have a way with others; wherever they go they are liked. They don’t take a second in making friends with someone. Such people are “people smart” or interpersonally intelligent.
So how does this work? – Making someone engage with you in a personal way consists of two parts: understanding what the other person is saying and communication yourself effectively. The “antisocial” people often lack in one or both of these skills. Either they listen to someone well and not able to communicate or they don’t listen and ramble on about what they have to say, people who are commonly called narcissistic people.
Developing interpersonal intelligence can be done through various techniques. Some people argue that you should dress up well and wear a smile all the time. Good dressing gives you confidence to talk to other people. There are various books written on the subject as well. Good teachers, social workers, politicians, public speakers and other such people have great interpersonal skills. Interpersonal intelligence is based on the ability to like and be liked – who wouldn’t want that?

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (Body Smart)

Manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills (athletes, surgeons, doctors etc) – is a form of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence or body smart. Have you ever been in a situation where you or your friend went to take a dance class or shoot at targets? You both were doing that for the first time. You were struggling to keep yourself going but your friend is cruising? – There is a psychological explanation of this “unfairness”, that explanation is that your friend is more “body smart” than you are.
Being body smart means you have great hand-eye coordination and are good at doing physical things – it doesn’t necessarily have to be at sports. Surgeon is a good example of body smart as he uses his hands to delicately and flawlessly operate on patients – however a general physician uses his knowledge of medicine to cure patients which doesn’t fall into the category of body smart.
People who are blessed with this form of intelligence are likely to become dancers, musicians, athletes, surgeons, performers, soldiers, travellers – any such profession that requires mind-body connection.

Intrapersonal Intelligence (Self Smart)

Capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings and to use such knowledge in planning and derationing one’s life is a trait of someone who possesses intrapersonal intelligence or self-smart.
“It is the lack of faith that causes people to be afraid and I believe in myself” – Muhammad Ali. This defines the general attitude of people who are intrapersonal or self-smart. They are able to analyze themselves very well. They know their strengths and weaknesses and they are often high achievers as they believe in themselves. Self-praising, arrogance, narcissism don’t make a person self-smart. It is his evaluation of himself while keeping all the human limitations in line that makes him intelligent. “Self-aware” might be a good term to describe such a person. Intrapersonal intelligent people are able to trust their instincts and have good confidence in their abilities.
“Actions speak louder than words” – Intrapersonal intelligent people can also be defined as those who act on things to make their lives better rather than just sit and complain or abandon a task because of self-doubts. People with a higher degree of intrapersonal intelligence present often become world leaders, thinkers, athletes, spiritual leaders, philosophers, celebrities, actors and such. One can argue that intrapersonal intelligence is the first quality a person needs to be successful.

Spatial Intelligence (Picture Smart)

Those who have an amazing use of mental imagery and artistic skills are spatially intelligent. You must have heard of 3D games and structures, human vision is also based on 3D perception. Spatial intelligence is based on the human capacity to perceive the world in its 3D form.
People who possess spatial intelligence are very creative and often artistic. They perceive the world differently than an average Joe. They are able to observe and enjoy little things in life such as a stack of apples lying on a stand while the sun shining on them, to them this whole image gives an artistic impression whereas a common man would walk by such a sight hundred times without noticing it.
Living a life full of colors is another way to describe such people. They may strike you as antisocial or daydreamers most of the times but their minds are very creative. They like to experiment, to challenge, to create, to design. Most people with such skills become artists, painters, architects, scientists, designers etc. Some scientists argue that creativity of a person can be enhanced but not developed. You can't force someone to become a painter or a good sketch artist. Spatial intelligence or picture smart is a quality that is perhaps the rarest of all the nine Howard Gardner categorized.