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  • Clint Warren

Maturation as Intrapersonal Competency

The multiple intelligences theory, proposed by psychologist Howard Gardner in 1983, suggests that intelligence is not a singular, unitary concept but rather a diverse set of separate and independent abilities. Gardner identified eight different intelligences, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.

Since its introduction, the multiple intelligences theory has been both influential and controversial within the field of education and psychology. While it has garnered considerable interest and application in some educational settings, its acceptance and popularity have been mixed.

Some educators and practitioners find the theory valuable as it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and developing various forms of intelligence beyond traditional academic measures. It encourages educators to provide a more diverse and personalized approach to teaching and assessment.

However, the theory has also faced criticism from some researchers and educators who question the empirical evidence supporting the concept of multiple intelligences. Some argue that Gardner's proposed intelligences might overlap with traditional measures of intelligence or personality traits, making it challenging to clearly differentiate them.

The concept of intelligence is complex and multifaceted. While the multiple intelligences theory introduced by Howard Gardner suggests distinct and separate intelligences, some researchers and theorists argue for a more multimodal and dynamic understanding of intelligence.

The traditional view of intelligence, often measured through IQ tests, focuses on cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, and linguistic skills. However, modern research suggests that intelligence is not limited to these cognitive aspects alone. It can encompass a wide range of abilities, skills, and competencies that interact and complement each other.

A multimodal and dynamic view of intelligence recognizes that individuals possess a variety of intellectual and practical capabilities that can be harnessed in different ways depending on the context. It acknowledges that people may excel in different areas and that intelligence can be context-specific. For example, someone might excel in musical intelligence and interpersonal intelligence while performing well in other areas too.

Moreover, intelligence can be developed and enhanced over time through learning, experience, and exposure to diverse experiences. It is not a fixed trait but rather a flexible and evolving set of competencies.

Embracing a multimodal and dynamic view of intelligence allows for a more inclusive and holistic understanding of human capabilities. It encourages educators and individuals to recognize and nurture diverse talents and intelligences, promoting a more comprehensive approach to education and personal growth.


Maturation is the process in which individuals learn to cope with and manage their emotions. Infants start with a limited ability to express themselves and navigate the world through emotions and feelings. As they develop language and cognitive abilities, they gradually learn to handle these emotions better. Maturation plays a significant role in helping individuals transition from a tantrum-filled state to a more emotionally regulated and coherent state of mind. It's a crucial aspect of personal growth and emotional intelligence. Maturation contributes to the development of emotional resilience. Emotional resilience refers to an individual's ability to adapt, bounce back, and cope with challenging or stressful situations. Maturation, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses overall growth and development, including emotional, cognitive, physical, and social aspects. Emotional resilience is a part of the maturation process, but it also involves other factors such as cognitive maturity, social skills, and physical development. Together, these elements shape a person's overall growth and ability to navigate life's challenges effectively.

Maturation is an intrapersonal competency or a personal skill related to an individual's internal development. It involves the growth and improvement of various aspects within oneself, such as emotional intelligence, cognitive abilities, self-awareness, emotional resilience, and other personal traits that contribute to overall maturity and well-being. It's a process of becoming more self-aware, understanding one's emotions and behaviors, and developing the ability to handle life's challenges effectively.

Managing emotions often involves maintaining reasonable beliefs or having a balanced perspective on situations and events. Maturation helps individuals develop cognitive abilities that allow them to critically assess their emotions and reactions. By cultivating reasonable beliefs, people can gain a more accurate understanding of their emotions and the events triggering them, which can lead to better emotional regulation.

For example, someone who has developed maturation skills might recognize when they are feeling angry and examine the underlying reasons for that emotion. They might assess whether their anger is justified and consider alternative perspectives before reacting. By maintaining reasonable beliefs, individuals can respond to their emotions in a more constructive and adaptive manner, leading to better emotional management overall. Self-deception and dogmatism are intrapersonal incompetencies or deficiencies. These traits represent challenges within an individual's own thought processes, emotional understanding, and beliefs. They are factors that can hinder personal growth, emotional intelligence, and effective decision-making, affecting how individuals interact with themselves and the world around them. Developing self-awareness and working on overcoming these intrapersonal incompetencies can lead to personal growth and improved interactions with others.

Self deception is when one thinks or acts as if something were true but also thinks or acts as if something is not true. Which indicates that at one point one's expectation of future practice is affirming while at a later point or perhaps simultaneously, their expectation is denying, which merely indicates a persistently mixed or uncertain attitude. Self-deception can involve holding two different epistemological views or beliefs, even if an individual's actions predominantly align with one of those views. In such cases, the person may be consciously or unconsciously deceiving themselves about the inconsistency between their beliefs and actions.

For example, someone might claim to believe in the importance of environmental conservation and reducing their carbon footprint, yet continue to engage in environmentally harmful practices without taking significant actions to change their behavior. They may be aware of the importance of environmental protection but have difficulty fully aligning their actions with their stated beliefs.

In such situations, the individual may be self-deceptive in the sense that they acknowledge the truth of one belief (environmental conservation is important) but act as if another belief were true (their actions have minimal impact on the environment). This inconsistency could stem from various factors, such as cognitive dissonance, rationalization, or a lack of motivation to change their behavior.

The type of self-deception described can be considered an error in self-reporting or constructing a coherent epistemological narrative that matches experience. In such cases, individuals may struggle to reconcile their beliefs or stated views with their actual behaviors or experiences, leading to inconsistencies and self-deceptive tendencies.

This can happen for various reasons, such as cognitive biases, defense mechanisms, or the influence of external factors that shape behavior. It's important to note that self-deception is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, and it may not always be a conscious act. Sometimes, individuals may genuinely believe they hold certain beliefs while unconsciously engaging in behaviors that contradict those beliefs.

Recognizing these discrepancies and addressing them through self-reflection, seeking feedback from others, or examining the root causes of inconsistency can help individuals gain a more accurate understanding of their beliefs and actions. By aligning beliefs and experiences more coherently, people can strive for a more authentic and self-aware way of navigating their lives. Self-deception can be motivated, meaning that certain underlying motivations or psychological factors can drive individuals to deceive themselves intentionally or semi-intentionally. Motivated self-deception occurs when individuals have a vested interest in maintaining a certain self-image, protecting their self-esteem, or avoiding cognitive dissonance.

These motivations can lead individuals to selectively interpret information, downplay negative aspects of themselves or their actions, and rationalize their behavior to maintain a preferred self-image.

Motivation can play a significant role in leading people into given misinterpretations of their own behavior. When individuals have strong emotional or psychological motives to protect their self-image, maintain self-esteem, or avoid facing uncomfortable truths, they may be more inclined to engage in self-deceptive behaviors and misinterpret their actions.

These motivated misinterpretations can perpetuate self-deception, making it challenging for individuals to objectively assess their behavior and motivations. Acknowledging and addressing these motives can be crucial in gaining a more accurate understanding of oneself and promoting personal growth and self-awareness. It often requires self-reflection, openness to feedback, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths to break free from motivated misinterpretations and foster a more authentic self-perception.

Self-deception can involve conflicting techne (practical skills or actions) rather than just techne conflicting with epistemology (beliefs or knowledge). In such cases, individuals may engage in behaviors that contradict one another, leading to self-deceptive patterns in their actions.

This type of self-deception can result from various factors, including emotional conflicts, conflicting desires, or a lack of clear decision-making. For instance, someone might prioritize staying healthy but consistently engage in unhealthy behaviors like overeating or avoiding exercise. This contradiction between their actions and their professed desire for good health reflects a form of self-deception related to conflicting techne.

While the multiple intelligences theory put forward by Howard Gardner has sparked significant discussion and exploration in the fields of education and psychology, there are valid arguments suggesting its potential limitations. The theory's lack of robust empirical evidence and the potential for overlap with traditional measures of intelligence or personality traits raise questions about its accuracy as a comprehensive model of human capabilities.


In contrast, adopting a multimodal approach to understanding intelligence acknowledges the dynamic and multifaceted nature of human abilities. This approach recognizes that intelligence is not confined to singular domains but is a collection of diverse talents that interact and contribute to an individual's overall competence. By emphasizing the importance of recognizing and nurturing these diverse intelligences, educators and individuals can promote a more inclusive and holistic perspective on human potential.


Furthermore, the role of maturation, particularly in managing emotions and enhancing emotional intelligence, cannot be overlooked. Maturation is a process that contributes to personal growth, emotional resilience, and overall cognitive integration. By becoming more adept at managing emotions and avoiding intrapersonal incompetencies like self-deception and dogmatism, individuals can foster better self-awareness, emotional regulation, and decision-making. This process aligns with the idea of emotional maturity, allowing individuals to navigate challenges and uncertainties more effectively.


In essence, while the multiple intelligences theory may not be entirely accurate or universally applicable, a multimodal approach that gives primacy to intrapersonal intelligence and maturation can offer valuable insights into the development of well-rounded individuals. This perspective encourages a broader understanding of human potential and the importance of emotional and cognitive growth in achieving success and personal fulfillment.



Produced by Clint Warren - Aided by ChatGPT

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