Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner is an American developmental psychologist best known for his work in cognitive psychology and education. Born in 1943, Gardner has spent much of his academic career at Harvard University, where he has served as a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a senior director at Project Zero, an educational research group. Trained in developmental psychology, Gardner’s early work was influenced by cognitive science, neurology, and philosophy, positioning him at the intersection of multiple disciplines. 

This interdisciplinary orientation became foundational to his most influential contribution: the theory of multiple intelligences. Challenging the conventional understanding of intelligence as a singular, fixed quantity, Gardner posited that human cognition is multifaceted, comprising various kinds of intelligences that are shaped by biological, cultural, and experiential factors. The Model of Intelligence as Multifaceted Rather Than Singular, first articulated in Frames of Mind, has had far-reaching effects in psychology, education, and beyond. Gardner’s blend of empirical rigor and humanistic vision synthesized complex ideas into a coherent, culturally resonant framework and, in doing so, helped transform a specialized psychological insight into a globally influential educational philosophy.