Diversity in how our minds work

We have come to think of diversity as a concern in a multicultural community. As writers we need to recognize the diversity within a homogeneous cultural group of readers--if such a thing exists anymore. Human beings differ in the ways they recieve and process new information.

These differences affect the words you select to use and the design you choose for a document, but they may also determine the modes of communication you choose. Whenever possible, I try to overlap the communication media.

Kim Roach is a busy blogger and productivity specialist. She has written two articles that help us understand some very basic ways in which people differ in their information processing styles, and thus in their needs.

From LifeHacker What's Your Intelligence Type?

"...Dr. Howard Gardner built a model of eight different intelligence types, including linguistic and verbal intelligence, logical intelligence, spatial intelligence, body/movement intelligence, musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, and naturalist intelligence. Each one of these intelligence types is located in specific regions of the brain. However, a person can be strong in several intelligence types.

...Schools often favor verbal-linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligences. This is because most schools are centered around verbal lectures and a core curriculum that puts a lot of importance on science and math. To cater to all types of learners, schools must strive to find a balance that incorporates the arts, self-awareness, communication, and physical education..."

Read the full article here where Roach succinctly discusses the different types of intelligence.

From The Optimized Life, What's Your Learning Style?

"...Each person has a different learning style that allows them
to learn best. The idea of individualized “learning styles” was introduced in the 1970s.

The three main types of learning styles include: visual, auditory and kinesthetic/tactile. A person usually has a mixture of the learning styles above, but is particularly strong in one area. Sometimes, a person has more than one strong learning style..." more