Howard Gardner, a distinguished professor, author and psychologist, is most commonly known for the development of the theory of Multiple Intelligences. Beginning his post-secondary education at Harvard University, Gardner had an incredible interest in psychology and education. While attending Harvard University, Gardner studied with Erik Erikson, an esteemed psychoanalyst, taking a particular interest in human nature and how they think. Gardner's passion and in-depth research continued as he took part in numerous studies, all while earning his PhD in 1971. After completing his doctorate, Gardner became a lecturer and professor at Harvard University, focusing his studies on education, as well as , teaches neurology at Boston University School of Medicine. Meanwhile, Gardner continued his research into human nature, devoting much of his time to Project Zero, a major education research center. It was around this time that Gardner published his research on the theory of multiple intelligences in his book Frames of Minds: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The theory focuses on an original list of seven intelligences that Gardner believes are developed individually in humans and allows for unique learning styles for each individual student (Smith, 2008). The first two intelligences described in Howard Gardner's book are those that are highly valued in school and various learning environments. The first and most thoroughly studied is linguistic intelligence. Linguistics is generally focused on the use of written and verbal language, ultimately the basic form of communication. Individuals who excel in linguistic intelligence have the ability to use language in several useful methods. Linguistics explains how individuals develop particular learning styles, individually adapted to each person. This relatively new theory, developed by esteemed professor and researcher Howard Gardner, counters traditional views that students use only two distinct intelligences. Rather, Gardner's theory offers five other intelligences that all contribute to students' various preferred learning styles. The theory also calls into question the teaching styles and assessments used in our education system. If Gardner's theory is true, then standardized testing puts students with certain intelligences at a disadvantage in the education system. If students lack linguistic or mathematical intelligence, but excel in other intelligences, such as musical intelligence, this cannot be discerned through a traditional one-size-fits-all standardized test.