Tertiary students' estimates of theirs and their relatives' multiple and overall intelligences : a cross-national study of Nigerian and South African students.

Abstract

A sample of five hundred and three (503) University of KwaZulu-Natal students participated in this study, which investigated Black Nigerian and South African tertiary students' estimates of theirs and their relatives' multiple and overall intelligences. Participants‟ ages ranged from 18-44 years. The sample included both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The aim of the study was to investigate black students‟ perceptions of theirs and their relatives' multiple intelligences, using the theory of multiple intelligences developed by Gardner (1983). Participants were asked to rate their own overall estimates of intelligence as well as their relatives. Results show significant differences in nationalities with Nigerians rating themselves and their relatives higher on almost all components of multiple intelligences compared to South Africans. A comparison of males and females using only the South African sample showed no noted differences in self ratings, except for bodily-kinaesthetic and intrapersonal intelligences. These results are discussed in relation to the literature.