Catherine Maloney
2/23/11
Pd. 2 Acquard
Little Man Tate
1. Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences illustrates that one’s intelligence is different in
various areas. Gardner also believed that various factors other than biological factors such as culture
contribute to one’s intelligence. Areas of intelligence include linguistic intelligence, which has to do
with verbal and language oriented tasks. Logical-mathematical intelligence has to do with problem
solving especially in math using logic and numbers. Spatial intelligence has to do with being able to
visualize, which benefits in occupations such as architecture and engineering. Musical intelligence has
to do with being able to detect different sounds and tones, and often being able to project these pitches
and sounds through singing and composing. Body-Kinesthetic Intelligence is the ability to control the
body and implement physical activities daily; people with a high level of this type of intelligence are
often very talented athletes or dancers. Intrapersonal intelligence has to do with how one assesses
personal feelings and emotions. One with intrapersonal intelligence knows who they are, and can
predict their own emotions. Interpersonal intelligence has to do with social life and how one interacts
among others. People with high interpersonal intelligence work well with others and are sensitive to
others’ feelings. Naturalistic intelligence is the ability to relate the nature and environment to specific
information. The Triarchic Model of Intelligence, proposed by Robert Sternberg deals with the theory
that intelligence is based on three different types of intelligence. One type of intelligence, analytic
intelligence, would be defined by solving puzzling and difficult math problems. Analytic intelligence is
the most easily tested and is tested most often, however those who have a high analytic intelligence
often do not know what to do if tasks are not clearly defined. Those with high analytic intelligence also
have a hard time relating to the outside world, since in the real world there are often many solutions to a
problem and in order to create a solution, though information may be present, it is not listed out and
defined. Another type of intelligence according to Sternberg is creative intelligence, which is not
necessarily tested by means of a written test. One who has a high level of creative intelligence is
talented in areas having to do with the arts, such as music and painting. Although those with this type of
intelligence may not score high on normal tests given at school, they would utilize and create new ideas
and problems to solve. The third type of intelligence is practical intelligence, which assesses how one
would behave and react in real-world, everyday situations. This type of intelligence would separate
those that would be classified as “street smart” rather than “book smart.” Daniel Goleman’s theory of
Emotional Intelligence explains how one is able to control inner urges to express emotion. One with a
high sense of Emotional intelligence knows how to control their own emotions as well as those of
others.
2.
Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences can be applied to Fred Tate, in that Fred clearly has
a high level of intelligence in several areas. It is obvious that Fred has a high level of linguistic
intelligence, since he easily understands and succeeds in a college atmosphere of lecture-style classes.
Fred also has a high level of logical-mathematical intelligence, which is apparent at the Odyssey of the
Mind, when he calculates a complicated math equation in his head and figures out the answer in a matter
of seconds. Fred also has a high level of musical intelligence. In one instance when he first meets
Jane, he plays an intricate piece on the piano to reveal his knowledge of sounds and pitches. Fred’s
sense of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence is not great. In on of the early scenes in the film, other children
are playing kickball, while Fred cannot catch a ball and is clearly not hand-eye coordinated. Fred has a
strong sense of intrapersonal intelligence: he knows that he is different from others and accepts this.
He is also quiet and reserved. Fred’s interpersonal intelligence, however, is not as strong. He refrains
from interacting with most kids his age. He does interact somewhat with Damon, whom he at first does
not get along with but after they he gets to know Damon he begins to understand that Damon is insecure
and dealing with some of the same emotions Fred is. According to Sternberg’s Triarchic Model of
Intelligence, Fred is clearly analytically intelligent. In the film, Jane notices his bright nature and
intellectual and seeks to enroll Fred in a university for the summer. Fred is also creatively intelligent,
which shows when he plays extensive pieces on the piano. Fred’s practical intelligence however, is
lower. For example, when Fred meets Eddie, the friendly college boy, thinking that Eddie will be his
new best friend, he takes what Eddie promises him too seriously and ends up walking in on Eddie with a
girl. One who would be practically intelligent would realize that Eddie was just trying to be friendly,
rather than actually trying to establish a relationship with a young boy. According to Goleman’s theory
of Emotional Intelligence, Fred is emotionally intelligent. It is obvious that when he first attends the
university and spends the Fourth of July away from is beloved mother, he feels uncomfortable and out of
place. However, he is able to cope with these sad emotions and make it through the summer.
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory can be applied to Dee Dee Tate, Fred’s mother and
closest friend. Dee Dee does not show signs of her spatial, naturalistic or logical-mathematic
intelligence. However, it is obvious that she has a high level of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, because
she emphasizes her role as a dancer at various restaurants. Dee Dee also expresses a high level of
intrapersonal intelligence, revealing her love for her son and her desire to keep him sheltered. When
Jane wants to take young Fred to university, she expresses a deep desire to make sure that he will be
safe, due to her intrapersonal feelings. It is also apparent that Dee Dee has a high level of interpersonal
intelligence. In the film, she is seen a number of times with her friend from work, which reveals that she
works well with others. She also gets along with Fred extremely well. Although Fred is extremely
talented at playing the piano, his mother shows no signs of musical intelligence. Nowhere in the film
does it show her playing a musical instrument, singing or composing. Sternberg’s Triarchic Model of
Intelligence can also be applied to Dee Dee Tate. Although she does not show many signs of being
analytically intelligent, since she never attended college, she is definitely practically intelligent. She
seems to have experienced a lot, especially since she is raising a child on her own, which means that she
knows how to react to real-world situations. One example of this is when she administers CPR on her
friend’s son, after he is knocked unconscious in the pool. By administering CPR to the child, it shows
that although she may not be “book smart,” she certainly knows how to react to problems that are not
defined. According to Goleman’s Theory of Emotional Intelligence, Dee Dee is definitely emotionally
intelligent. She illustrates her knowledge of her own emotions. For example, when she drops Fred off
at the university, she tries to hold back her tears in order to seem excited for Fred. She knows that if she
cries, it will make Fred sad.