IQ TEST – The Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligences Test! (DMIT)

In 1983 American developmental psychologist Dr. Howard Gardner argued that the concept of intelligence as traditionally defined in psychometrics (IQ tests) does not sufficiently describe the wide variety of cognitive abilities humans display. His theory became know under the name ‘Multiple Intelligence’ (MI). A few years ago a rather remarkable commercial spin-off from Gardner’s theory became available: a product named the DMIT, which stands for: ‘Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test’.

The origins of the DMIT test were developed in Taiwan,  and became available in various Asian countries as a franchise product. The product claims to be a scientific product focussed on assessing the ‘multiple intelligences’ of young children. Basically, the product suggests that one can assess Gardner’s multiple intelligences via the 10 fingerprints of your hand. And the assumption is made that each finger is connected with the 5 brain lobes of the hemispheres (see the picture below).

Is the DMIT a valid test?

So far there appears to be no public research available to answer this question – though an intelligent reader could recognize from this point solely a clue about the nature of this so-called ‘scientific test’. 

By the way, Gardner’s theory describes only eight basic types of intelligence to date – though without claiming that this is a complete list. Gardner’s original list included only seven of these, but in 1999 he added a naturalist intelligence. He has also considered existential intelligence and moral intelligence, but does not find sufficient evidence for these based upon his articulated criteria.

Howard Garnder’s ‘multiple intelligences’:

More detailed considerations + links to GeneCode & ThumbRule DMIT websites are available at the Modern Hand Reading Forum:

IQ TEST: Does your intelligence correlate with your fingerprints & dermatoglyphics?