We might think differently and our cultures may be shaped differently depending on how strong these multiple intelligences are present in our lives. With this said, I believe that there is one form of intelligence that is totally cross-cultural and of great importance to every culture. In my opinion, the interpersonal intelligence is arguably the only one of the intelligences that is important, no matter the culture.
Thesis.
Howard Gardner's interpersonal intelligence is totally cross-cultural and has great importance to all cultures because it deals with how people react to one another. The core components to the Interpersonal Intelligence deals with, "the capacities to discern and respond appropriately to the moods, temperaments, motivations and desires of other people" (Snowman and Biehler 121). Having said this, one must understand that these are things people have to cope with everyday, no matter their culture. An example would be teenagers around the world having mood swings. Its not because of their culture that they have these, its because that's what teens go through. If every teenager had a little bit of interpersonal intelligence, then we would all be able to help each other cope when these mood swings occurred. .
Gardner states that, "In more advanced forms, this intelligence [Interpersonal] permits a skilled adult to read the intentions and desires of others, even when these have been hidden" (367). He is saying that even if people are trying to hide what they feel, our interpersonal intelligence allows for us to "see" what people want or need. This can be important in every culture because there will be times when you just can tell someone is having a horrible day. Their body language, facial expressions and persona are three signals that things aren't going well and they would like to be comforted. When one sees this they do their best to try and make the person feel better.
