NCJ Number
197851
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2002 Pages: 369-386
Date Published
2002
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between Gardner’s types of intelligence and career choice.
Abstract
The background for this research is the theory of multiple intelligences (MI) that was conceived of by Gardner in 1983. This theory postulates that there are nine types of different intelligences. The purpose of the original MI research was to help change and shape the way educators teach. The current study used the theory of MI to examine whether specific types of intelligence influenced career choice in criminal justice. The authors administered surveys to 200 criminal justice majors enrolled at the University of West Florida during spring 2001. Chi-square analyses revealed that a large percentage of criminal justice majors exhibited high levels of intrapersonal intelligence. However, each student also displayed varying levels of every type of intelligence, which is consistent with Gardner’s theory of MI. The authors conclude that while these findings may encourage employees to recognize and utilize the strengths and weaknesses of their employee’s, more testing of Gardner’s MI theory is necessary before it should be used as a screening or diagnostic tool. Tables, references