Self-Estimates of Intelligence: A Study in Two African Countries

Abstract

Black and White South Africans (n = 181) and Nigerians (n = 135) completed a questionnaire concerning the estimations of their own and their relatives' (father, mother, sister, brother) multiple intelligences as well as beliefs about the IQ concept. In contrast to previous results (A. Furnham, 2001), there were few gender differences in self-estimates. In a comparison of Black and White South Africans, it was clear the Whites gave higher estimates for self, parents, and brothers. However, overall IQ estimates for self and all relatives hovered around the mean of 100. When Black South Africans and Nigerians were compared, there were both gender and nationality differences on the self-estimates with men giving higher self-estimates than women and Nigerians higher self-estimates than South Africans. There were also gender and nationality differences in the answers to questions about IQ. The authors discuss possible reasons for the relatively few gender differences in this study compared with other studies as well as possible reasons for the cross-cultural difference.

Self-reported differences in creativity by ethnicity and gender

“…Unfortunately, there have been no studies that specifically look at self-rated intelligence or analytic ability across race/ethnicity in the United States. Furnham, Callahan, and Akande (2004) studied White and Black South Africans and found that Whites gave higher estimates for their own intelligence, as well as their parents' and siblings' intelligence, than Blacks. 1 1 Whites and Blacks are used here instead of European American and African American because these participants were not American; I am using the same categories used in the paper.…”

Brain Based Learning and Its Relation with Multiple Intelligences

“…The researcher finds that the linguistic and mathematical seem to be within the highest levels (Furnham, et al, 2004). While a study by Furnham and Mottabo (2004) affirms the dominant ability of verbal, visual, pronunciation, fluency of words, speed of sensual recognition, accuracy and mechanical abilities.…”

“…However, in a study by (Furnham & Mottabo, 2004); it is found that the dominant abilities are the linguistics, visual, pronunciation, fluency, sensual recognition, accuracy and mechanical ones.…”

“…In addition, a study of Furnham and Mottabo (2004) aims at identifying the distinctive features in the multiple intelligences especially in a cultural comparative perspective. They consider the cultural difference between students.…”

How children living in poor areas of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania perceive their own multiple intelligences

“…Females gave higher self-estimates than males on all seven multiple intelligences. A similar study in nigeria and South Africa (comparing White and Black South Africans) used the same questionnaire around self and relatives' estimates of multiple intelligences (Furnham, Callahan & Akande, 2004). The research, in contrast to , found few gender differences in estimates.…”