An overview about multiple intelligences: a comparative study with business administration students of two private universities in southern Brazil

Abstract

Experts claim for more studies on Theory of Multiple Intelligences in higher education classrooms. There is a lack of information on the characteristics of multiple intelligence in universities in developing countries, such as Brazil, as they can assist in the education of students in a wide variety of fields. This study aims to analyze and compare the types of multiple intelligences among bachelor students of Business Administration programs in private universities. We conducted a quantitative study based on survey with students from two private universities in the southern Brazil. The results indicated that the academic profile of both programs has similarity in the average frequency of most of the identified intelligences. The intelligences identified that showed statistically significant differences between academics are: logical-mathematical, interpersonal, musical and naturalistic. In general, the most developed multiple intelligences are: logical-mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and bodily-kinesthetic. In addition, the least developed are: spatial, linguistic, musical and naturalistic.