Can the MindMi ™ System replace traditional psychological assessments?
The MindMi™ system is able to analyze similar indicators with other psychological assessment tools.
However, its method of collecting and analyzing data is very different from established tools (eg, collecting psychophysiological data versus self-assessment or practical tests), providing additional information but not replacing the results of other tools. Based on the scan, information on the personality of the examinee, cognitive, emotional, interpersonal and group intelligence, plus an extended set of psychological indicators including cognitive, emotional, social and relationship skills are obtained. This information is based on a pattern predominantly identified at the person examined (eg a certain typology, the proportion of the identified temperaments), which is directly associated with the results obtained.
Is MindMi™ System able to evaluate compatibility between several examinees?
MindMi™ is able to provide compatibility analysis and reports between up to 10 individuals, either on the spot or between saved and archived test results in the web database. Based on each examinee’s personality type and working style, the system delivers customized proposals to be considered on how to improve each individual performance relative to every single partner or relative to the whole group itself. For a sample of a group compatibility report.
Is there a difference between how MindMi™ assesses Cognitive or Emotive Intelligence and evaluations done with traditional tools?
The MindMi™ system can evaluate and provide in two separate reports the potential of the IQ or EQ. However, there may be differences between MindMi ™ results and results from other tools. This is due both to the method difference in calculating these scores (psychophysiological harvesting and data processing by algorithmic and mathematical analysis versus performance in progressive matrices, different measurement scales and different distribution of scores due to technical construction) and the theoretical approach of the MindMiTM system, which proposes a number of sub-components of cognitive and emotional subcomponents that may differ from other theoretical models (e.g., Salovey and John Mayer’s Model on Emotional Intelligence). MindMiTM results do not provide the consistency specific to the self-reported answers to be examined and do not reflect the examinee’s direct experience.
However, they detect fluctuations in the emotional or cognitive state of the examinee, or in his temperamental configuration, depending on his psychophysiological balance at the time of testing.
Are there any age or size restrictions in using the MindSpring™ hand scanner?
The hand scanner absolutely requires data collection from both hands, however small hands can be accommodated up to a certain size.
The hand scanner design can accommodate most individuals older than 6-7 years old. Traditional psychological testing for children have serious practical limitations, however the MindSpring™ hand scanner is able to scan very young children, therefore allowing unprecedented, in depth and accurate evaluations of these kids.
Is it possible that some people can not be evaluated with the MindMi™ system?
During the testing of the instrument, a small number of cases were observed where the evaluated person does not respond adequately to the electrodermal phenomenon, which makes the MindMi ™ evaluation inappropriate for this category. If the examinee does not respond to skin stimulation and the scan ends with the “Read Error” message, the reports can not be generated. Also, if the person is experiencing excessive fatigue or overwork, the system will display a “Fatigue” message. In these cases, resuming scanning or repeating it on another day is recommended. If the person’s data is not successfully collected even after multiple attempts, the evaluation may not be appropriate for the person concerned. There are uncommon cases where internet connection fluctuations can interrupt scanning or lead to “Read Error” messages. For this reason, we recommend repeating the scanning process at least 3 times for a person in “Read Error” situations before concluding that the person can not be evaluated. For “Fatigue”, it is recommended to resume scanning the other day.
Anyone can use the MindMi™ system?
MindMi™ reports are not intended for direct use by the examinee but are intended for use by practitioners, primarily human resources.
Practicing psychologist (eg in organizational and work psychology, vocational or occupational counseling, psychological counseling, psychotherapy, clinical psychology) is a key element in the use of the system, having the competence to interpret the results, depending on the purpose of the evaluation and its field of specialization .
The form of the reports is useful to the evaluated person, but the results obtained can only be correctly used by the psychologist’s filter. The psychologist analyzes the MindMiTM reports with a set of specialized knowledges and integrating reports with other specialized tools he uses in his practice. Please note that this method only applies after informed consent. Thus, the user will inform the examinee about the confidentiality principle and obtain the signed agreement before applying the instrument.
What is the connection between the electrodermal response measured by the scanner and the psychological profile of a person?
The MindMiTM system measures biopotentials from the skin’s surface (electrodermal potential level and electrodermal potential response) by means of a dual-handed monopolar electrode scanner that collects the necessary data within 5 minutes.
After scanning, the system uses data to obtain psychological information through an innovative algorithmic procedure, combining multiple variables with key relevance to the corresponding personality traits (eg, amplitude, electrodermal response, cortical arousal level, and so on). This set of variables is subjected to a cyber modeling process, resulting in a wide range of psychological indicators, reflecting cognitive, emotional, social, specific skills and tendencies.
The method used by MindMiTM is new, but it is based on a history of studies and research by the certified inventor, Dumitru Grigore.
What is the difference between MindMi™ and other devices (eg biofeedback devices)?
Although there are equipments perceived to be similar (polygraph, trembler, brain activity measurement, biofeedback tools, etc.), most of these tools use a different method, even in similar fields (eg instruments that measure galvanic response or conductance of the skin in the current continuously, neuroimaging methods, positron emission radiography, brain electrical activity recording, brain waves, heart rate measurement, body temperature, arm tremors, etc.).
Many of these tools measure something else. The MindMiTM system differs from these instruments primarily by what is measuring and the acquisition method (it measures the electrodectral potential in the alternating current, collected from the epidermis by a hand scanner), but especially for the purpose of measurement and the shape of the results offers the user. In particular, the MindMiTM system does not provide gross scores for collected psychophysiological data, but provides psychological results accompanied by a relevant interpretation for the practitioner (scales, indicators, general population scores, text, tables, diagrams). There are many biofeedback tools available to the general public. They measure certain variables (eg body temperature, muscle tone, heart rate, or blood pressure) in parallel with the application of relaxation, visualization, or user-directed imaging techniques). These techniques are either intended to influence measured physiological parameters or to highlight some of their characteristics. The MindMi™ system does not require the use of private stimuli before, after, or during scanning.
Is MindMi™ a standardized tool?
The scanning procedure is performed under standard conditions, as are the steps for the scan results – psychological reports. In the case of problematic tools, the user has the option to directly manipulate the instrument and its mode of operation (eg, manual frequency setting on biofeedback devices), or even the results. This makes it difficult to control the result obtained, but also the safety and accuracy of the result. In the case of MindMiTM, this is not possible, the hand scanner being used in a standard, warranted version that does not have the user customizing the scanner. The scanning process takes about 5 minutes and the same number of readings behind the sensors is performed for each person. In the generated reports, in some cases the user can organize, modify the order, or remove certain indicators from the report (the Report of the 62 Psychological Indicators), or insert and remove certain individuals from the report before generating it (eg Group Compatibility Report) add or manipulate scores and results. Also, a report can not be generated twice for a single scan, so each time the same result will be displayed for a particular scan. This ensures compliance with the safety protocol, but also the accuracy of the method, algorithm and results, which have been repeatedly and extensively tested on representative samples of the population. The most recent update of the reference ranges is based on the percentiles calculated in a representative batch of 1003 data strings collected with the MindMit ™ system (scans), and these reference ranges (the general population reporting scales) are displayed in the same mode for any scanned person.
What kind of tasks apply during scanning?
MindMiTM does not involve the administration of visual or auditive stimuli during scanning, nor does it imply specific tests or tasks applied during the examination. The results do not depend on a specific activity (except for correct positioning and holding of hands on the scanner until the scan is completed), nor the quality or quantity of the system user’s communication with the user.
What are the advantages of a computerized tool?
Psychologists are becoming more familiar with technology in their personal or professional life (they have to use e-mail, android, tablet, iPad, Skype for on-line sessions, online / computerized test platforms, documents from the literature internationally available, mostly available in electronic format). These knowledge and skills can also be transferred to work. Adaptation to technology can thus be an asset. Specialists are constrained by their professional team to constantly update their knowledge in the field (continuous training courses, conferences, preparation of the interview for changing the professional stage). Similarly, sometimes high adaptability and flexibility is required in relation to technological developments in society to remain on top as competence. The use of MindMiTM is not conditioned upon pre-requisites beyond field-specific knowledge and basic familiarity with the system. This is easy to accomplish by going through the user manual, technical manual, and Quick Start Guide that meet the needs of industry practitioners. In the manual, they can identify a number of useful information about using the system and MindMiTM reports, as well as examples of their interpretation. In fact, we are available to our users with technical and informational support.