Gender Differences in Self-Estimated Intelligence: Exploring the Male Hubris, Female Humility Problem
David Reilly1, David L Neumann1,2, Glenda Andrews1
1School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.
Frontiers in Psychology
|February 24, 2022
Summary
Men and women show differences in self-estimated intelligence (SEI), with males estimating higher. Personality factors like masculinity and self-esteem contribute to this "male hubris, female humility" effect.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychometrics
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Cognitive psychology indicates men and women have equal measured intelligence.
- Gender disparities in self-estimated intelligence (SEI) are consistently reported, with males estimating higher than females, termed the 'male hubris, female humility' effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate personality factors contributing to gender differences in self-estimated intelligence.
- To explore the influence of sex-role identification and self-esteem on SEI.
Main Methods:
- Participants (N=228) completed measures of general and multiple intelligences' self-estimates.
- Objective intelligence was assessed using the Cattell Culture Fair IQ test.
- Personality factors were measured using the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and self-esteem scales.
Main Results:
- Males and individuals high in masculinity reported higher SEI.
- Females systematically underestimated their IQ, while overall accuracy did not differ by gender.
- Hierarchical multiple regression revealed independent contributions of gender, masculinity, and self-esteem to SEI.
Conclusions:
- The 'male hubris, female humility' effect is explained by a combination of gender, masculinity, and self-esteem.
- Sex-role identification plays a significant role in both individual and group differences in SEI.
Keywords:
educationgender differenceshuman intelligenceself-esteemself-estimated intelligencesex differencessex-rolesMore Related Videos
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