Intelligence Booster

Brain-Boosting Culica!

Howard Gardner has identified nine kinds of intelligence in his Theory of Multiple Intelligence. According to Gardner, these types of intelligences are somewhat independent of each other, so having a single number, an IQ score, denote a measure of intelligence is misleading.

Without any more ado, here are Gardner's nine kinds of intelligence, and how playing Culica^® helps to make you (and your kids, if any) smarter.

1. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”)

Gardner's description: "Designates the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations)."

Culica games have much to do with patterns, and discriminating between them. In particular CuMatch™ is a game that can be played on the Culica, which deals with detecting whether two patterns are identical on each face of the Culica. Some patterns may look similar but in fact be mirror images. Games such as CuMatch will help people understand patterns and hopefully enhance their naturalist intelligence.

2. Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”)

Gardner's description: "Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone."

Culica has no musical component, so not applicable.

3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart)

Gardner's description: "Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations"

Culica has no numbers, yet its games, which are designed purely to be fun, do involve logical and mathematical thinking. Culica games have logic aspects, geometry aspects, symmetry and "group theory" aspects, optimisation, combinatorics and even game theory aspects. Culica is great for enhancing logical-mathematical intelligence but without really feeling like it is anything to do with mathematics and logic. See Culica Mathematical Gems.

4. Existential Intelligence

Gardner's description: "Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here."

Culica doesn't address this kind of intellligence, it is more concerned with the art of having fun whilst you do "exist"! Of course, the act of meditatively gazing at a Culica may cause the mind to ponder the Big Questions.

5. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”)

Gardner's description: "Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and interact effectively with others." Culica has many games which can be played on it, including multi-player games. Playing such games fosters social awareness and interpersonal skills. In particular, a game that can be played on the Culica, called CuCombat™, when played with three or more players, can result in players having to alternatively cooperate to prevent a player winning, then to attempt to win oneself. This balance between cooperation and competition teaches much about real-life relationships in school, university and work environments. And, dare we say it, in family environments too!

6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”)

Gardner's description: "Bodily kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills."

The Culica involves placing pegs onto the Culica and rotating it to see the overall position. This involves hand-eye coordination and also keeping in mind aspects of faces that are not in view, and rotating the culica in the hand to review all the faces. For those that attempt to solve culica puzzles in record times, there is much dexterity involved.

7. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart)

Gardner's description: "Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings."

The Culica is more about patterns than words, so this is not applicable.

8. Intra-personal Intelligence (Self Smart”)

Gardner's description: "Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and to use such knowledge in planning and directioning one’s life."

Culica does involve planning, and in the context of intra-personal intelligence, this would come to the fore when playing single-player games. Planning and analysing how to solve Culica puzzles might cause an improvement in planning one's life, by encouraging one to think things through.

9. Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”)

Gardner's description: "Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions.  Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination".

The Culica is three dimensional game. As such it is perfect for developing Spacial Intelligence. Because many games can be played on the culica, there are different ways that this spacial intelligence may be practiced. See also, Culica Art

Conclusion

The Culica may enhance at least six of the Multiple Intelligences identified by Gardner, playing Culica may make you smarter!

Culica will also make you more creative.

Reference

Gardner, Howard. (1983) "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences." New York: Basic Books.