Gender differences in self-estimated intelligence in children and early adolescents

Studies on self-estimated intelligence indicate that males rate their intelligence higher than females. The present study investigates gender differences in self-estimated intelligence of children and young adults. One hundred and twenty-four elementary school children aged eight to ten years and 243 high-school children aged 12 to 15 years participated in the study. Self-ratings were obtained for 11 specific aspects of intelligence including Thurstone's (1938) Primary Mental Abilities as well as musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence as proposed by Gardner (1983). The results revealed that males do not estimate their intelligence generally higher than females. Across both age groups boys, in contrast to girls, rated their abilities higher in mathematical and spatial intelligence, perceptual speed, and logical reasoning. However, girls rated their musical intelligence higher than males. The effect sizes of gender differences in both age groups suggest that already a tendency for specific gender differences exists in prepubertal children which stabilizes and becomes significant in pubertal children.