Repository logo
 

A cross-cultural study of parents' estimates of their own and their children's intelligence in a sample of Black and Indian South Africans.

Thumbnail Image

Date

2005

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

This study investigated Black and Indian South African's estimates of their own intelligence and that of their first two children. Parents gave estimates for seven types of intelligence (Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences) and overall intelligence. The purpose of this study was to establish if gender and/or cultural differences existed in the estimates of intelligence. The participants were asked to complete a brief one-page questionnaire, the 'estimates of intelligence' questionnaire, which has been used in previous studies in this field (Furnham et al, 2004; Furnham et al, 2002a; Furnham & Mkhize, 2002; Furnham, 2000; Furnham et al, 1999; Furnham & Baguma, 1999, Furnham & Gasson, 1998). The results indicated that Indian South Africans gave higher estimates of intelligence than Black South Africans for their own intelligence and that of their children (first and secondborn children). In addition, mothers were found to give higher self-estimates for musical intelligence than their male counterparts. No gender differences were found for parents' estimates of their first and second-born children. In comparing parents' estimates of their own intelligence as compared to their children, parents gave higher estimates of their own intelligence. The predictors of overall intelligence were also explored. Parents were also asked to answer six close-ended questions, which investigated their views of intelligence and intelligence tests.

Description

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Keywords

Parents--Intelligence levels--South Africa., Children--Intelligence levels--South Africa., Blacks--South Africa--Intelligence levels., Indians--South Africa., Intellect., Parents--South Africa--Attitudes., Theses--Psychology.

Citation

DOI