About Intelligence
Theories of Intelligence Define Intelligence Theories of intelligence help define intelligence in a measurable way.…
Logical intelligence, also called mathematical intelligence, is defined as a person’s ability to understand problems of significance and eventually solve these problems. This is a kind of intelligence that invokes a deep kind of reasoning that is present in many scholars and mathematicians. This means that it works differently from memorizing things alone. You may have the ability to memorize figures and words but if you have a little ability to solve problems, it is said that your logical intelligence is low.
This kind of intelligence involves a complex process that entails recognition of the problem, identification of an algorithm, and an attempt on the solution. So you need to understand how mathematics work and how the world works in terms of reasoning not only in problems presented in paper but also in problems related to real life.
The specialty of this intelligence lies in the fact that you must have a strong ability to solve problems that are not routine. If you have a high logical intelligence, it is also expected that you have a high level of confidence and certainty at what you are doing. These characteristics will allow you to make decisions and use the available tools and resources in your environment to solve the problems presented to you.
Essentially, there are 13 standards identified in the development of mathematical intelligence in both children and adults. These are key components that you must have to develop logical intelligence. These key standards are the following:
1. Communication
2. Problem Solving
3. Whole Number Operations
4. Estimation
5. Whole Number Computation
6. Fractions and Decimals
7. Reasoning
8. Patterns and Relationships
9. Connections
10. Geometry and Spatial Sense
11. Statistics and Probability
12. Measurement
13. Number Sense and Numeration
Considered as the most documented type of intelligence, which also means it is the most studied and widely understood, logical intelligence encompasses all the 13 standards enumerated above. The development of your intelligence in these terms will determine your ability to solve problems methodically and logically.
There are practically hundreds of tests or measurement types of logical test. Considering that it encompasses 13 different aspects of thinking and abilities, most tests conducted to identify a person’ ability to think and solve problems are comprised of mixtures of these 13 standards. You may have already taken this in elementary before you went to high school. And then you may have taken another test of this type before you went to college.
It is not really easy to investigate a person’ logical intelligence but there are many standards in the world that can identify or at least provide clarity as far as mathematical intelligence is concerned. More importantly, the tests should cover the 13 standards mentioned earlier.
You will observe that in many tests used to measure logical intelligence, there are many questions referring to sequencing of numbers, identification of words or phrases that do not belong to the group, problem solving using mathematical equations, relationship of a subject to another given a few clues, identification of geometrical figures, and many more.
Even if logical intelligence is associated with mathematical intelligence, you do not really have to be good at math to improve your skills. Below are some recommendations of activities that you can perform to improve your logical thinking skills.
• Play mathematical games
• Understand basic computer programming
• Work on puzzles
• Play brain teasers
• Ask your self “why” questions and solve them
Another method you can try to improve logical thinking skill is the development of some basic traits that are related to this kind of intelligence. Below is a list of traits found commonly in individuals who have high logical intelligence:
• Likes to count
• Precision
• Being organized
• Ability to recognize patterns and shapes
• Likes math games
• Likes problem solving
• Likes computers
In conclusion, it is never too late for a person to develop his mathematical intelligence. There are many ways to do this and all it takes is determination to improve. The activities mentioned earlier should become habit and the character traits mentioned above should become a goal to be achieved. If you do not have a liking to the traits of a person who has high mathematical intelligence, then maybe you have a different level or type of intelligence that you can develop such as aesthetic or musical intelligence.