Multiple intelligence testing is designed to give a full picture of your abilities. Psychologist Howard Gardner developed the theory of multiple intelligences in the 1980s. Gardner proposed that human intelligence is not a single, fixed entity but a set of multiple intelligences, each with unique characteristics. He initially identified seven intelligences and later added an eighth. Multi-intelligence testing derives from his important work.
Multiple Intelligence Testing: Our Services
We can provide muti-intelligence testing that shows your strengths and weaknesses among some of the eight axes, and then we can fill in the gaps using interviews with you about the other areas. The result is a report that gives a full picture of your abilities. This information can prove very helpful as you make decisions during transitional times of your life.
Multi-Intelligence Testing Axes
The eight intelligences that would be part of a multiple intelligence testing process are:
- Linguistic Intelligence: This refers to the ability to use language effectively in writing and speaking. People with high linguistic intelligence are skilled in writing and speaking and often excel in activities like storytelling and debating.
- Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: This intelligence involves logical reasoning and mathematical problem-solving. People with high logical-mathematical intelligence are good at analyzing problems, performing calculations, and conducting scientific experiments.
- Spatial Intelligence: Spatial intelligence involves perceiving and manipulating visual and spatial information. Those with high spatial intelligence are often skilled in activities like map reading, navigation, and artistic endeavors.
- Musical Intelligence: Musical intelligence refers to the ability to appreciate, compose, and perform music. People with high musical intelligence may have a strong sense of rhythm, melody, and harmony.
- Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: This intelligence relates to physical coordination and skill. Individuals with high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence excel in activities such as sports, dance, and physical performance.
- Interpersonal Intelligence: Interpersonal intelligence involves understanding and relating to others effectively. People with this intelligence are skilled in communication, empathy, and building relationships.
- Intrapersonal Intelligence: Intrapersonal intelligence relates to self-awareness and understanding one’s thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Individuals with high intrapersonal intelligence are often self-reflective and have a deep understanding of themselves.
- Naturalistic Intelligence: Gardner added this intelligence later. It involves an appreciation for and understanding of the natural world, including plants, animals, and the environment. Those with high naturalistic intelligence may better categorize and identify natural elements.
Multiple IQ Testing Strategy
The following are the various methods and assessments inspired by Howard Gardner’s theory that aim to identify and measure different intelligences.
Self Assessment and Multiple Intelligences
We can use questionnaires or surveys where you answer a series of questions related to different areas of intelligence. These self-assessments might indicate your strengths across multiple intelligences. These surveys often provide a starting point. Many people ask to be assessed in a certain area of intelligence, but it is not uncommon for us to realize that other areas are also worth testing.
Observational Assessments as Multiple Intelligence Testing
We sometimes observe a client in various settings to identify their strengths. For instance, for younger children, we might observe or ask a teacher to observe them in various contexts. We or the teacher might notice a student excelling in artistic activities (indicative of high spatial or artistic intelligence) or social interactions (indicative of high interpersonal intelligence). As adults, we may count on you to self-observe, noting specifics of how things go in certain specific experiences.
Performance-Based Multiple Intelligence Testing
These assessments involve tasks or activities that directly test specific intelligence. For example, a musical intelligence test might involve tasks related to recognizing tones or rhythms, while a spatial intelligence test might include tasks like assembling puzzles or visualizing complex shapes. We often enlist the help of a specialist in these areas because we are not experts. Some examples are music teachers, engineering professors, or athletic coaches.
Psychological Tests for Multiple Intelligences
Certain psychological tests can be used to measure specific intelligence. These tests can involve tasks tailored to each intelligence area to gauge the individual’s strengths and weaknesses. We describe emotional Intelligence testing elsewhere. We can also measure linguistic intelligence using common tests such as the WISC Test and Most commonly used WISC .
Remember that these assessments might not definitively measure someone’s overall intelligence, as intelligence is a complex and multifaceted concept. They can, however, offer insights into an individual’s preferences, strengths, and areas for potential development.
Multiple Intelligence Tests
There is no standardized “multi-intelligence test” to assess all these intelligences in one assessment. Instead, we combine tests, surveys, and assessment tools to measure specific types of intelligence. Here are some of the ways we put together a battery:
- Linguistic Intelligence: We might use an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in combination with specific linguistic achievement tests, educational reports, and our observations and insights to determine linguistic intelligence. There is no standard score, so we have to do some subjective reasoning.
- Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Again, an IQ test and achievement testing is to test this area, and we can also add some specific mathematical reasoning tests.
- Spatial Intelligence: There are specific subtests within IQ tests that measure this area, and we can also do some neuropsychological tests that help us develop an overall rating.
- Musical Intelligence: This is hard to measure objectively, so we have to rely on your background and any rating, grading, or evaluations you’ve received. We can look into referring you to an expert who can provide us with additional information.
- Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: This is another area that is hard to measure objectively, so we rely on your report of sports performance (including movement arts if necessary), any awards and achievements you’ve earned, and feedback you’ve received. Again, we may be able to refer you to a specialist to give us additional information, but that is not always necessary.
- Interpersonal Intelligence: There are specific normed tests we can give to give us an idea of your skills in this area, and we also count on our interactions with you and feedback we can gather from others in your life. We also might do an eIQ test.
- Intrapersonal Intelligence: Projective testing and other standardized measures can be very helpful here, as well as results from our interviews with you.
- Naturalistic Intelligence: We rely on your interviews about your knowledge and insights in this area. Sometimes, records from college and other education can be helpful as well.
We braid all of the above together to give you a report that covers all the multi-intelligence testing areas. The goal is to give you scores and conclusions that help you make decisions, capitalize on strengths, and overcome challenges.
Multi Intelligence Test Conclusions
Multiple intelligence testing can be quite helpful for anyone looking to develop their strengths and work on potential challenges. They can point adults in the right direction if they are considering a career change or want to improve their job performance. They can be used as part of compatibility testing, though people often want to find someone with different intelligences than them to make a perfect match.
If you are interested in multiple intelligence testing to provide insights into your strengths and preferences across these intelligences, our services can help. Multi-intelligence testing can be useful for personal development and understanding your unique abilities regarding school, work, and social decision-making. Contact us any time to talk further about multiple intelligence testing.
