Changing minds

Howard Gardner became famous with his theory on multiple intelligences. I got to know his ideas during my studies educational science. For me it was such a relief to read his ideas about intelligence. He dismisses the idea that intelligence is a unidimensional entity with which you are born, that is unchangable and that can be measured with an IQ-test. He defines intelligence as an ability to process information in a specific way. There are various abilities (‘intelligences’) to process information and that help people to solve problems or to create products. To be called ‘intelligent’ these solutions and products need to be seen of value in at least one culture. The various intelligences comprise: visual/spatial intelligence, musical intelligence, verbal intelligence, logical/mathematical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, and bodily/kinesthetic intelligence.

Gardner recently wrote an interesting boook: Changing Minds: The Art and Science of Changing Our Own and Other People's Minds. He explains his ideas on what’s needed to change people’s minds and then tells several stories of influential people (politicians, artists, writers etc.). He reflects upon these stories with his ideas. He defines seven factors that speed up the process of change: Reason, Research, Resonance, Representational Redescriptions, Resources and Rewards, Real World Events and Resistances. To me however it does not become clear whether the changing minds-process is to be translated to learning. When you manage to influence (and change) people, does that mean they have learned? Are these the same processes?

The book pretends to focus on these seven factors but in fact by reading it you learn everything on multiple intelligences, Gardner’s view on cognitivism versus constructivism, leadership, childish theories and their stubbornness. 

Gardner, H. (2004). Changing Minds: The Art and Science of Changing Our Own and Other People's Minds. Harvard Business School Press.