Naturalist Intelligence
The core capacities of the Naturalist are the abilities to recognize members of a group, distinguish among members of a species, recognize the existence of related species, and diagram relationships among species. They demonstrate expertise in the recognition and classification of numerous species of an environment - flora and fauna. They can recognize members of a species that may be especially valuable or markedly dangerous. They can appropriately categorize new or unfamiliar organisms. These organisms (plant or animal) may be microscopic or of considerable size. In societies with formal scientific systems, they are the biologists who recognize and categorize specimens in terms of formal taxonomies. Their abilities can be brought to bear on items that are artificial as well as natural. Persons who can readily discriminate between categories of cars, antiques, dolls, etc. demonstrate the ability to recognize and categorize artificial species.
- Holistic Thinkers: They think in terms of the "whole" of nature and then recognize its parts.
- Relationships (Formal - Natural Taxonomies e. g., Dinosaurs, Roses; Informal - Artificial Taxonomies e.g., Cars, Clothes): They see how things in nature or in man-made objects relate to each other, both within and outside of categories.
- Connect Capacities: Find relationships between species' capabilities.
- Recognize Specimens: Within an area of interest, they are able to recognize differences. If a person collects dolls, he or she recognizes many nuances among groups of dolls. A Naturalist who is an avid gardener recognizes minute differences among plants.
- Value the Unusual: Due to their ability to recognize differences among species, they value those things that make one species unusual or set apart from others.
- Aware of Species - Flora and Fauna: Recognize plants and animals.
- Classify Species: Organize similar species according to a systematic division into classes or group.
- Categorize Organisms: Place organisms into a scheme of classifications.
