NABET, NABET 2018 Conference

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Variability Hypothesis of Spiritual Intelligence in Organizations: Bi-Modal Male Distributions
Marlene E. Burkhardt, Donna Rhodes, Loren Rhodes

Last modified: 2018-09-26

Abstract


Spiritual intelligence is considered a form of intelligence that measures the ability to apply and embody spiritual resources and qualities to enhance functioning and wellbeing (Amram, 2010) and is thought to aid in organizational leadership (Amram, 2007). Utilizing the Integrated Spiritual Intelligence Survey developed by Dr. Joseph Amram, research (Rhodes, 2015) investigated the relationship between Spiritual Intelligence and several demographic variables.  Specifically, data was collected from over 100 participants to test hypotheses that there would be significant differences in aspects of spiritual intelligence across age, gender, education level, and career sector (specifically for profit and nonprofit distinctions). Many of the expected differences were substantiated.  A significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and gender was not found using standard correlational analysis.  However, upon further investigation, a relationship revealed itself.  Specifically, five clusters of observations using K-means Euclidean distances as the clustering measure produced two clusters consisting of only males and two clusters of only females. The measure of spiritual intelligence was similar between the female clusters; however, the results were strikingly different in the two male clusters.  Original use of the variability hypothesis first addressed by Darwin declared variability differences in physical and mental characteristics of males and females based on the occurrence of extreme measures within the male population.  This study regarding Spiritual Intelligence can possibly support the variability hypothesis.  However, as Shields (1982) noted, environmental factors may explain these results.