DERMATOGLYPHICS MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE TEST
IN A NUT-SHELL:
IN A NUT-SHELL:
During the past year I have found various websites which are marketing the DMIT-test (= the 'Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test'). It's a test which is build on an (old) theory by Dr. Howard Gardner - who argued in 1983 that the concept of intelligence as traditionally defined in psychometrics (IQ tests) does not sufficiently describe the wide variety of cognitive abilities humans display..
During the past years this method came into the hands of a few marketeers, who presented this method in: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Most of these websites are developed in Asia.
A few examples (14 websites based in 7 countries - alphabetic ranked):
-
Based in Malaysia & Singapore:
m.adrc.sg
- Based in Malaysia, Singapore & the UK:
www.brain-childlearning.com
- Based in India:
www.brain-mark.com
- Based in India:
www.brain-secrets.com
- Based in Malaysia:
www.brainchecker.com.my
- Based in Singapore:
easybrainmethods.com
- Based in India:
www.empowermind.in
- Based in Malaysia:
www.genecode.com.my
- Based in Thailand:
www.inborn-intel.com/en/
- Based in the US & Taiwan
www.itellusa.com
- Based in India:
www.mind-tech.in
- Based in Malaysia:
mydna.com.my/en/
- Based in India:
www.thumbrule.in
- Based in India:
9jivan.com
But does the test really do what is says? Is it really possible to 'assess' IQ talents from the individual tips of our fingers?
Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory includes (only) 9 basic types of intelligence: Spatial - Linguistic - Logical-mathematical - Bodily-kinesthetic - Musical - Interpersonal - Intrapersonal - Naturalistic - Existential
NOTICE: Originally there were only the first 7 types but in 1999 he added the 'naturalist intelligence'. And he has also considered 'existential intelligence'.
I - In the DMIT-test is each finger is connected with one brain lope plus a specific type of intelligence, see the pictures below:
And each fingerprint type is connected with the following 'type of learners':
- whorl = the cognitive learner
- ulnar loop = the affective learner
- radial loop = critical thinking learner
- tented arch = enthousiastic learner
- arch = reflective learner
And each finger has been connected with a specific type of 'ability':
- right thumb = plannic ability
- left thumb = creative ability
- right index finger = logical analysis ability
- left index finger = artistic ability
- right middle finger = operating ability
- left middle finger = imaginative ability
- right ring finger = language ability
- left ring finger = acoustic ability
- right pinky finger = observation ability
- left pinky finger = visual ability
II - Additionally, an analysis of the palmar AtD-angle is also included. According this method the size describes:
- AtD-angle < 40 degrees = identifies an 'effective learner'
- AtD-angle 40 to 44 degrees = identifies a 'normal learner'
- AtD-angle > 44 degrees = identifies a 'affective learner'
(Earlier discussions at the PI-forum indicates that the theory also appears to be that a low AtD-angle correlates with higher intelligence)
Here's a quick visual impression of the steps taken :
http://www.genecode.com.my/new/derma_assessment.html
And the sample-report is also available here as a document:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34572277/Sample-report-of-Thumbrule-DMIT-Dermatoglyphics-multiple-intelligence-test
Plus a sample report for another person:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/40156801/ThumbRule-Sample-Report
Who designed the 'Dermatoglyphic Multiple Intelligence Test'?
Basically, the Thumbrule DMIT-test can be recognized as a commercial spin-off from the work of Professor Roger Lin. More info about the history of his work is available here:
http://www.brain-childlearning.com/partner.html (this website is also listed above!)
http://www.brain-child.co.cc/2010/10/profesor-roger-lin.html (Indonesian language, but there are multiple translation buttons available)
Professor Roger Lin from China:
Another person who is said to have played a role in the development of this product is Mary Lai from Taiwan - it appears that she sort of 'designed' the model describing the connection between the fingers and the brain lobes, see: http://www.mme.com.tw/page11.php
Mary Lay (MMEA - Mind Measurement Education Association)
Now, I think the presentations are quite impressive.
But what do we really think about this DMIT test?
I could describe my opinion as follows:
I am sceptical about various elements in the Thumbrule DMIT-test. Just to mention a few points:
1 - The DMIT method suggests that each finger is connected with a brain lobe, but I think there is no direct evidence for such a specified theory at all. On the contrary: it is a fact that all fingers are connected with for example the motor cortex (which is in the frontal lobe) AND the somatosensory cortex (which is in the parietal lobe) - and I am quite sure that there are likewise multiple-connections with the other lobes.
2 - The AtD-angle is no reliable indicactor for IQ, nor the efficiency of school performances. Actually, the words 'effective learner' and 'affective learner' are rather abstract concepts (which might only have linguistic value).
3 - For me... it is actually quite shocking that the commercial marketeers even appear to use UNETHICAL SUGGESTIONS to market this speculative DMIT 'product'. For example, the following website suggests that DMIT is 'needed' because of the many suicides due to exam stress:
See: http://www.mind-tech.in/dermatoglyphic_multiple.html
"Need of DMIT in India
• 12,000+ studentscommit suicides in India every year due to exam related stress
• Parental and peer pressureare prime causes for such high number of suicides
• DMIT can provide crucial inputs for student counseling and guidance"
Additionally, these are a few studies focussed on studying the relationships between dermatoglyphics and (basic) IQ - but I think none of the results support the DMIT test:
FULL ARTICLES:
2010 - http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_biological_anthropology/volume_4_number_1_61/article/axial-triradius-as-a-preliminary-diagnostic-tool-in-patients-of-mental-retardation.html
2009 - http://www.sid.ir/en/VEWSSID/J_pdf/92320090310.pdf
2001- http://www.upf.edu/bioevo/publisaraceli/06Rosa.pdf
1996 - http://www.collantropol.hr/_doc/Coll.%20Antropol.%2020%20(1996)%202:%20413-418.pdf
SUMMARIES:
2002 - http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-JPXZ200201023.htm
1996 - http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-CDYX602.006.htm
1995 - http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-RLXB501.005.htm
1989 - http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-HNYK198901009.htm
NOTICE: There are quite a few more related studies availabe so the list will probably grow in the near future.
Last edited by Martijn (admin) on Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:20 pm; edited 1 time in total
Here's another critical 'Silly Beliefs' review of the dermatoglyphic multiple intelligence test (focussed on the website www.mind-tech.in and this Dec 2008 TheJakartaPost article ):
See the post from october 14, 2010:
http://www.sillybeliefs.com/blog016.html#blog016-7
Quote from the report:
"So in conclusion, DMIT is most likely a scam because:
• There is no scientific evidence that it works (1)
• They tell blatant lies in its promotion (2)
• They make misleading claims (3)
• The provide testimonials, not evidence (4)
• They speak in the language of pseudoscience (5)
• Even the affluent and often gullible West hasn't accepted it (6)"
