Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsTypes of IntelligenceDeveloping Naturalistic IntelligenceActivities to TryFamous Figures With Naturalistic Intelligence
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Table of Contents
Characteristics
Types of Intelligence
Developing Naturalistic Intelligence
Activities to Try
Famous Figures With Naturalistic Intelligence
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Naturalistic intelligence is the ability to recognize, identify, understand, and work with elements of the natural world. People with this type of intelligence have a keen sense of observation and excel at spotting relationships and patterns in nature. Thanks to this strong affinity for nature, they often do well in activities like gardening, conservation, environmental science, farming, and wildlife conservation.
“Naturalistic intelligence is an interest or curiosity about nature, the outdoors, and our planet,” explains Courtney Morgan, LPCC, a licensed therapist and founder ofCounseling Unconditionally. “People with high levels of naturalistic intelligence are drawn to the outdoors and enjoy spending time in nature.”
At a GlancePeople skilled at connecting with nature are sometimes said to have a high level of naturalistic intelligence. Finding ways to strengthen your link to the world around you can have many benefits, including boosting both physical and mental health. Keep reading to learn more about the characteristics of naturalistic intelligence and how to develop it.
At a Glance
People skilled at connecting with nature are sometimes said to have a high level of naturalistic intelligence. Finding ways to strengthen your link to the world around you can have many benefits, including boosting both physical and mental health. Keep reading to learn more about the characteristics of naturalistic intelligence and how to develop it.
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Characteristics of Naturalistic Intelligence
According to Gardner, characteristics like being able to identify and understand elements of the natural environment are the hallmarks of this type of intelligence. Examples include:
People with this type of intelligence are connected to nature. They notice and appreciate the beauty and diversity of the environment. They are often at their most comfortable and fulfilled when they are outdoors in natural settings.
If you have this type of intelligence, you are probably great at noticing patterns and changes in the world around you. These changes tend to immediately draw your attention, and you are deeply curious about what causes such events.
For example, you might notice subtleshifts in weather, plants, daily temperature, and sunlight that suggest the seasons are changing. Or you might spot indicators of environmental disturbances such as habitat destruction or the appearance of invasive species that disrupt the native ecosystem.
Naturalistic Intelligence vs. Other Types of Intelligence
The other eight intelligences in Gardner’s theory are:
So what distinguishes naturalistic intelligence from the other eight types? It is the connection to nature, environmental awareness, and deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world that sets this type apart.
People with a high level naturalistic intelligence have strong observational skills and are good at spotting patterns and nuances in natural settings that others might miss. They feel a connection to the world around them and are interested in helping to preserve and support the health and well-being of the world’s ecosystems.
Some people are just naturally inclined toward this type of intelligence, but there are also things that you can do to cultivate a stronger sense of naturalistic intelligence. This involves establishing a stronger bond with the natural world.
Morgan notes that naturalistic intelligence is something that people can strengthen and nurture at any age. Some strategies that she recommends include:
I find it is most effective when people make tiny steps to incorporate building naturalistic intelligence into their daily lives rather than attempting to completely change their ways of being. By approaching it this way, people are less likely to become burnt out and frustrated with the process, leading to long-term naturalistic intelligence growth.—COURTNEY MORGAN, LPCC
I find it is most effective when people make tiny steps to incorporate building naturalistic intelligence into their daily lives rather than attempting to completely change their ways of being. By approaching it this way, people are less likely to become burnt out and frustrated with the process, leading to long-term naturalistic intelligence growth.
—COURTNEY MORGAN, LPCC
Some ways that you can strengthen your naturalistic intelligence include:
Spend More Time in Nature
Start spending more time outdoors! Go to the beach, hike in a forest, or even just visit your local park. Activities you might enjoy include birdwatching or rock collecting.
Getting outside is good for your mental and physical health. One review on the benefits of nature found that mental health outcomes improved in 98% of studies.
Study Natural Science
Local libraries, museums, conservancy organizations, and fish and wildlife services are a great place to start looking for learning opportunities in your area.
Get Into Gardening
Put your budding naturalistic intelligence skills to work in your own yard. Look for opportunities to connect with the earth (literally) and get a little dirt under your fingernails (or invest in a nice pair of gardening gloves if that’s not your thing).
Start a garden, grow flowers, or plant other vegetation types to learn more about plant life cycles and different gardening techniques. Spending time growing and caring for elements of the natural world can sharpen your observational skills and foster a closer connection with the earth. It’s also a greatstress-reliever.
Volunteer
Seek volunteer opportunities with local conservation groups. Engaging inprosocial actionscan help you buildempathyfor the world around you, which is crucial for developing a strong sense of naturalistic intelligence. It’s all about your connection to the environment, so spending time helping the world can help you care about it more intimately.
Volunteering for causes devoted to helping nature can be a great way to gain a greater appreciation for the need to protect and preserve the environment while using your emerging skills and knowledge to help a great cause.
Research has also found that taking action to help the environment canpositively affect mental health.
Get Your Kids Involved
Morgan notes that many parents want to help their kids build naturalistic intelligence, even if they might not describe it in those exact words. “Many parents will tell me, ‘I just want them to play outside! I wish they had other interests than a screen!'” she explains.
Kids are curious about the world around them, including the diversity and patterns of plants, creatures, seasons, and other natural elements. Strategies that can help kids develop a better sense of naturalistic intelligence include:
The Benefits of Naturalistic IntelligenceBuilding your naturalistic intelligence can be good for both your body and mind. There is evidence that spending time in nature is associated with:Better cognitive functionIncreased brain activityLower blood pressureReduced risk of cardiovascular diseaseIncreased physical healthBetter sleepImproved mental health
The Benefits of Naturalistic Intelligence
Building your naturalistic intelligence can be good for both your body and mind. There is evidence that spending time in nature is associated with:Better cognitive functionIncreased brain activityLower blood pressureReduced risk of cardiovascular diseaseIncreased physical healthBetter sleepImproved mental health
Building your naturalistic intelligence can be good for both your body and mind. There is evidence that spending time in nature is associated with:
Activities to Stimulate Naturalistic Intelligence
Whether you already have a strong sense of naturalistic intelligence or are trying to develop this ability, there are plenty of great activities that can help stimulate a deeper connection to the natural environment. Strategies that you (and your kids) might try include:
If you are a parent trying to foster naturalistic intelligence in your kids, Morgan recommends opting for activities like camping, swimming, hiking, and outdoor camps. She also suggests parents should spend more time outdoors themselves, limit screen time to encourage outdoor play, and give kids a chance to get messy when they are outside.
Getting your kids outside can have lasting benefits. Research has found that kids who get more exposure to green space have a lower risk of developing psychiatric conditions later in life, includingdepression,mood disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.
There are some famous figures from science and history who are believed to have a strong sense of naturalistic intelligence. Some famous names you might recognize include:
People with this type of intelligence may be interested in careers in botany, geology, horticulture, ecology, environmental science, wildlife management, and conservation.
Keep in Mind
Naturalistic intelligence is all about having an appreciation and connection to nature. Even if this isn’t one of your top skills, there are things you can do to build a stronger awareness of the world around you. Spending time outdoors, getting hands-on experience, and learning more about the environment can give you a richer, more intimate connection to the natural world.
What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?
4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nejade RM, Grace D, Bowman LR.What is the impact of nature on human health? A scoping review of the literature.J Glob Health. 2022;12:04099. doi:10.7189/jogh.12.04099Ágoston C, Csaba B, Nagy B, et al.Identifying types of eco-anxiety, eco-guilt, eco-grief, and eco-coping in a climate-sensitive population: a qualitative study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):2461. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042461Jimenez MP, DeVille NV, Elliott EG, et al.Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4790. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094790Engemann K, Pedersen CB, Arge L, Tsirogiannis C, Mortensen PB, Svenning JC.Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2019;116(11):5188-5193. doi:10.1073/pnas.1807504116
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nejade RM, Grace D, Bowman LR.What is the impact of nature on human health? A scoping review of the literature.J Glob Health. 2022;12:04099. doi:10.7189/jogh.12.04099Ágoston C, Csaba B, Nagy B, et al.Identifying types of eco-anxiety, eco-guilt, eco-grief, and eco-coping in a climate-sensitive population: a qualitative study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):2461. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042461Jimenez MP, DeVille NV, Elliott EG, et al.Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4790. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094790Engemann K, Pedersen CB, Arge L, Tsirogiannis C, Mortensen PB, Svenning JC.Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2019;116(11):5188-5193. doi:10.1073/pnas.1807504116
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nejade RM, Grace D, Bowman LR.What is the impact of nature on human health? A scoping review of the literature.J Glob Health. 2022;12:04099. doi:10.7189/jogh.12.04099Ágoston C, Csaba B, Nagy B, et al.Identifying types of eco-anxiety, eco-guilt, eco-grief, and eco-coping in a climate-sensitive population: a qualitative study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):2461. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042461Jimenez MP, DeVille NV, Elliott EG, et al.Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4790. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094790Engemann K, Pedersen CB, Arge L, Tsirogiannis C, Mortensen PB, Svenning JC.Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2019;116(11):5188-5193. doi:10.1073/pnas.1807504116
Nejade RM, Grace D, Bowman LR.What is the impact of nature on human health? A scoping review of the literature.J Glob Health. 2022;12:04099. doi:10.7189/jogh.12.04099
Ágoston C, Csaba B, Nagy B, et al.Identifying types of eco-anxiety, eco-guilt, eco-grief, and eco-coping in a climate-sensitive population: a qualitative study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):2461. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042461
Jimenez MP, DeVille NV, Elliott EG, et al.Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9):4790. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094790
Engemann K, Pedersen CB, Arge L, Tsirogiannis C, Mortensen PB, Svenning JC.Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2019;116(11):5188-5193. doi:10.1073/pnas.1807504116
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