Video summary

The Science Of: How To Increase Each Type Of Intelligence

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas and lessons

Framework: Multiple Intelligences (Howard Gardner)

The video draws on psychologist Howard Gardner’s idea that intelligence is not a single fixed trait. Instead, it can be divided into nine distinct types, each of which can be strengthened.

Nine types of intelligence and how to improve each

  1. Logical-mathematical intelligence

    • Meaning: Ability to reason, calculate, and think logically; strong in math/science problem solving.
    • Improve by:
      • Doing puzzles, logic games, brain teasers
      • Practicing math problems regularly
      • Learning programming/coding
      • Studying sciences such as physics or chemistry to build analytical skills

  2. Linguistic intelligence

    • Meaning: Sensitivity to spoken and written language; good at reading, writing, storytelling, and memorizing words.
    • Improve by:
      • Learning a new language
      • Studying the structure of one’s native language
      • Engaging in debates
      • Practicing speeches
      • Writing creative stories
      • Keeping a daily journal

  3. Spatial intelligence

    • Meaning: Ability to think in images; see things clearly; strong in visual/design domains.
    • Improve by:
      • Practicing drawing and painting
      • Using design software
      • Doing chess puzzles or video games to build spatial reasoning

  4. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

    • Meaning: Ability to move the body well; strong in athletics, dance, surgery, etc.
    • Improve by:
      • Taking up a sport
      • Dancing
      • Doing physical training
      • Practicing skills like tricks and gymnastics/tumbling

  5. Musical intelligence

    • Meaning: Recognize, create, reproduce, or even “hear” music internally.
    • Improve by:
      • Learning an instrument or singing
      • Practicing listening to and analyzing different music genres
      • Creating your own music
      • Practicing singing (e.g., “in the shower”)

  6. Interpersonal intelligence

    • Meaning: Understanding and interacting effectively with others; skilled at communication and empathy.
    • Improve by:
      • Practicing active listening
      • Having more meaningful conversations
      • Practicing empathy (trying to understand others’ feelings/perspectives)
      • Making a deliberate effort to work well with others

  7. Intrapersonal intelligence

    • Meaning: Understanding one’s own emotions, motivations, and desires; strong self-reflection and self-regulation.
    • Improve by:
      • Practicing mindfulness meditation
      • Reflecting on thoughts and feelings
      • Studying philosophy

  8. Naturalistic intelligence

    • Meaning: Recognizing patterns in nature (animals/plants) and being strong in nature-related activities (e.g., gardening).
    • Improve by:
      • Spending more time outdoors
      • Hiking
      • Gardening
      • Observing wildlife

  9. Existential intelligence

    • Meaning: Ability to contemplate life’s deep problems (existence, universe, meaning).
    • Improve by:
      • Studying philosophy, theology, or metaphysics
      • Having deep conversations about purpose/existence
      • Engaging in spiritual practices

Why intelligence is not fixed (neuroplasticity)

The video argues that intelligence and skills can grow because of neuroplasticity. Research from the 1980s–1990s suggested that people with brain injuries could relearn skills, implying the brain remains malleable throughout life.

How learning “faster” works: neural reuse

When you learn something, your brain builds pathways that make it easier to learn similar things later. Learning a completely new skill the “first time” is harder because you may have few/no existing connections yet.

Practical learning strategy: learn at high volume, but at the right difficulty

Key claim: Learning is a skill that can be learned, and improvement comes from high-frequency practice.

The important adjustment is difficulty control:

  • If you practice something above your skill level and you keep failing/crashing, those experiences are not as useful.
  • Instead, move down a step and practice at a level where you can succeed reliably.

The “Zone” / “goalie look zone”

A target practice difficulty where:

  • The task is novel (stimulating your brain),
  • but not so hard you can’t successfully do it.

Main goal: maximize stimulus and successful experience through volume.

Why high volume alone can fail: lack of “first principles”

The video warns that someone can do lots of reps for a long time and still not improve if they don’t focus on first principles.

First principles (as defined in the video):

  • Break the task into fundamental mechanics that actually make the result work.

Example:

  • “Pointing your toes” may make a cartwheel look nice, but it isn’t necessarily what makes it work—i.e., what pushes the “ball forward.”

Examples used to illustrate learning vs. talent

  • Gymnastics / parkour

    • The speaker teaches themselves parkour faster than students learning the same movements, framing it as a difference in learning approach and practice efficiency.

  • Voice acting (“Golden students”)

    • The speaker criticizes the assumption of “talent” by showing how teachers may favor students who already can do the skill.
    • These students may not be “more talented,” but instead have prior exposure and existing pathways from previous experience and coaching.

Methodology / instructions (detailed)

To improve any of the nine intelligence types

  • Identify which intelligence type you want to strengthen.
  • Pick activities that directly train that type (from the video’s examples), such as:
    • Logic: logic games, puzzles
    • Language: new language study, journaling, debates
    • Spatial: drawing, design software
    • Body: sports, dancing, tumbling
    • Music: instruments, singing, music creation
    • Social: active listening, empathy practice
    • Self: mindfulness, reflection, philosophy
    • Nature: outdoors, hiking, wildlife observation
    • Existential: philosophy, spiritual practices
  • Practice consistently and integrate the training into routine activities.

To increase overall learning speed / skill acquisition (neuroplastic approach)

  • Use neural reuse:
    • Build pathways by learning one skill thoroughly.
    • Then apply those pathways to learn similar skills more quickly.
  • Practice at high volume, but at a level you can succeed at:
    • Choose tasks that are challenging but achievable.
    • If you fail repeatedly (e.g., crashing on a flip), lower the difficulty to the next step down.
    • Do many repetitions at that level to generate successful learning experiences.

Use the “Zone / goalie look zone” to select practice difficulty

Select a level that is:

  • Novel enough to stimulate learning,
  • but not so difficult that you can’t succeed.

In every skill, apply “first principles”

  • Break the skill into the fundamental components that directly enable the desired outcome.
  • Focus practice on the mechanics that “push the ball forward,” not surface-level aesthetics.

Avoid misattributing results to fixed talent

Look for whether someone already has:

  • prior exposure,
  • existing skill pathways,
  • or prior training that makes the current task easier from the start.

Speakers / sources featured

  • Matthew Jones (primary speaker; educator/trainer described in the video)
  • Howard Gardner (credited with proposing the “nine types of intelligence” framework)

Original video