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. This post is designed to go over the services we can provide and the multiple intelligence tests we use, but if you have specific questions about our services or how this type of assessment could benefit you, please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation any time.
Multiple Intelligence Testing: Our Services
We can provide multi-intelligence testing that shows your strengths and weaknesses among some of the eight axes. 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.
Multi-Intelligence Testing Axes
The eight areas that would be part of a multiple intelligence testing process are:
- Linguistic: This refers to the ability to use language effectively in writing and speaking. People with high linguistic IQ are skilled in writing and speaking and often excel in activities like storytelling and debating.
- Logical-Mathematical: This 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: This involves perceiving and manipulating visual and spatial information. Those with high spatial abilities are often skilled in map reading, navigation, and artistic endeavors.
- Musical: This refers to the ability to appreciate, compose, and perform music. People with high musical IQ may have a strong sense of rhythm, melody, and harmony.
- Bodily-Kinesthetic: This relates to physical coordination and skill. Individuals with high bodily-kinesthetic IQ excel in sports, dance, and physical performance.
- Interpersonal: This involves understanding and relating to others effectively. People with this ability are skilled in communication, empathy, and building relationships.
- Intrapersonal: This relates to self-awareness and understanding one’s thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Individuals with high intrapersonal skills are often self-reflective and have a deep understanding of themselves.
- Naturalistic: Gardner added this category 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.
- Existential: This area was added later and referred to the ability to think deeply about meaning and large and complex concepts.
Multiple Intelligence Testing Strategy
The following are the various methods and multi-intelligence testing assessments inspired by Howard Gardner’s theory for identifying and measuring different strengths.
Self Assessment
We can use questionnaires or surveys where you answer questions related to different areas of intellect. These self-assessments might indicate your strengths across multiple areas. These surveys often provide a starting point. Many people ask to be assessed in a certain area, but it is not uncommon for us to realize that other areas are also worth assessing.
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 ability) or social interactions (indicative of high interpersonal IQ). As adults, we may count on you to self-observe, noting how things go in certain specific experiences.
Performance-Based Multi-Intelligence Testing
These multi-intelligence testing measures involve tasks or activities that directly test specific areas. For example, a musical intelligence test might involve tasks related to recognizing tones or rhythms, while a spatial IQ evaluation might include tasks like assembling puzzles or visualizing complex shapes. Because we are not experts in these areas, we often enlist the help of a specialist. Some examples are music teachers, engineering professors, or athletic coaches.
Psychological Multiple Intelligence Testing
Certain psychological tests can be used to measure specific areas. These 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 abilities using common tests such as the WISC Test.
Remember that these assessments might not definitively measure someone’s overall IQ, as this 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 are no standardized “multiple intelligence tests” to assess all these areas in one assessment. Instead, we combine measures, surveys, and assessment tools to measure specific types. Here are some of the ways we put together a battery:
- Linguistic: We might use an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in combination with specific linguistic achievement measures, educational reports, and our observations and insights to determine linguistic intelligence. There is no standard score, so we must do some subjective reasoning.
- Logical-Mathematical: IQ and achievement measures are used in this area, and we can also add some specific mathematical reasoning measures.
- Spatial: Specific subtests within IQ measures measure this area, and we can also conduct some neuropsychological assessments to help us develop an overall rating.
- Musical: 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: 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: We can use specific normed assessments to understand your skills. We also count on our interactions with you and the feedback we can gather from others in your life. We might also do an eIQ test.
- Intrapersonal: Projective testing, other standardized measures, and results from our interviews with you can be very helpful here.
- Naturalistic: We rely on your interviews about your knowledge and insights in this area. Sometimes, records from college and other education can also be helpful.
- Existential: This area is difficult to measure, so we often rely on conversation and deep problem-solving.
We combine the above to give you a report covering all the multi-intelligence testing areas. The goal is to provide scores and conclusions that help you make decisions, capitalize on strengths, and overcome challenges.
Multiple IQ Testing Example
Samantha is considering a career change. She is currently a retail manager but is considering going into marketing. She hopes that multiple intelligence tests might help her understand how her unique blend of intellectual skills might be a fit for this change. We put together the following battery of multiple intelligence tests combined with certain tasks that can add depth and power to our conclusions.
Linguistic Multiple Intelligence Tests
Empirical Assessment: We give Samantha the WAIS to understand her verbal side abilities. We also gave her an achievement test that assessed her word knowledge.
Activity: We provide a short story and ask her to write an alternative ending or a poem summarizing the story. This task will evaluate creativity, use of language, and ability to convey ideas effectively.
Interpersonal/Social
Empirical Assessment: We examine certain WAIS subtests and give her a Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) to assess her interpersonal style.
Activity: We observe Samantha in a group activity with others we are testing. The task involves collaborative problem-solving, where participants must work together. This activity assesses communication skills, ability to work in a team, and sensitivity to others’ emotions.
Intrapersonal Measures
Empirical Assessment: We give Samantha the projective TAT and also the House-Tree-Person and Draw-a-Person tests
Activity: We ask her to write a reflective essay on their strengths, weaknesses, and how they handle stress. This task evaluates self-awareness, insight, and depth of reflection.
Existential Multi-Intelligence Testing
Activity: We engage Samatha in a discussion about a philosophical question, such as “What is the meaning of life?” This is designed to evaluate the depth of her thought, understanding of abstract concepts, and ability to connect ideas.
These multiple intelligence tests are specifically designed to help identify strengths in different areas that might relate to a change to the marketing field. Samantha does well in each area, showing she may be a good fit for the career change she is contemplating. The multi-intelligence testing psychological testing report also gives her information on what she needs to work on to ensure her entry into her new field is smooth, and she can continually grow.
Multiple Intelligence Tests Summary
Multiple intelligence tests 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 consider a career change or want to improve their job performance. Multiple intelligence tests can also be used as part of compatibility testing, though people often want to find someone with different strengths to make a perfect match.
Multiple intelligence testing can also be used to improve your social experience and relationships and generally to choose activities and hobbies that may be a good fit. For college students multi-intelligence testing
If you are interested in multiple intelligence testing to provide insights into your strengths and preferences across these areas, 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.
