Are multiple inteligences subject to persuation?

Multiple Intelligences, as instances of personal traits, are believed to be fixed. On the other hand, Gardnerʼs theory considers intelligence as a changeable concept that can be enhanced through education in appropriate contexts. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of positive persuasive talk on four types of intelligence including musical, logical-mathematical, interpersonal, and verbal-linguistic intelligences. For this purpose, a sample of 150 BA and MA students majoring in TEFL and translation at Imam Khomeini International University in Qazvin; Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Tehran, and Science and Research Branches were selected. The required data were collected using McKenzie’s Multiple Intelligences questionnaire and oral persuasion on the four types of intelligences which were the focus of the study. The obtained data were analyzed using repeated measures one-way ANOVA procedures. Results showed that persuasion had a statistically significant effect on musical, logical-mathematical, interpersonal, and verbal-linguistic intelligences.

Multiple intelligences, musical, intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, verbal-linguistic intelligence, persuasion