6 Ways to Change Minds

Several layers of sealer on my sign for our community
garden prove useful as fall rain begins.

Recently I read an interview with Howard Gardner, the researcher who wrote about seven intelligences. The subject was ‘Is it possible to change someone’s mind?’ Gardner said yes, there are six ways to do so. 

1. Real World Events 
2. Reason 
3. Representation 
4. Research 
5. Resonance 
6. Resources     

His six methods relate closely to the seven intelligences. 

Real World Events involves having physical/bodily experiences, called kinesthetic intelligence. Think of someone whose relative or friend died of Covid-19.

Reason utilizes both linguistic and logical/mathematical intelligence. It represents listening to and trusting scientists to help guide us through the pandemic.

Representation relates to descriptive images or visual spatial intelligence. This bring to mind maps showing where Covid-19 cases and deaths are occurring.

Research means getting people to do their own reading, experiments and investigation. Media figures who suggest taking animal de-worming medicine put all their trust in themselves, a form of self-smart behavior that can have disastrous results. 

Resonance is about making connections with people, interpersonal intelligence. This can be seen in Biden, Harris and celebrities being publicly vaccinated.

Resources means receiving money or material goods. Some states offered financial rewards for getting vaccinated. Some businesses are reducing pay or firing those who do not get vaccinated. I think this is another example of physical/kinesthetic intelligence.

Gardner reported that change will be gradual, so much so that a person will be unaware of changing. You can reduce negative emotion by delivering new ideas in very short bursts rather than lengthy explanations. Time will pass. One day they surprise themselves by recognizing they are a different person than the one represented by attitudes and beliefs they once held.

I'm including photos of our community garden and the Book Box recently placed just outside the garden entrance. In contrast to the lengthy time it took to finally get the garden, it was just a matter of months for this free library to appear. Having observed people on the bench enjoying the beauty and benefit of the garden, others were inspired to add another benefit to our community. Perhaps this is an example of 'resonance' - interpersonal intelligence.