Family Members’ Perceptions about Each Other’s Intelligence Level

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate family members’ perceptions of each other’s intelligence level. The participants of the
study included 172 women and 136 men. Of the participants 76 were mother, 78 were father, 121 were son, 156 were daughter, 60 were both mother and daughter, and 63 were both father and son. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data about the participants’ perceptions. Data analysis showed no difference between mothers’ and fathers’ intelligence levels as rated by their children as well as by themselves. The only difference was found between intelligence level of sons and that of daughters as rated by fathers favoring sons. That is, fathers rated their sons more intelligent than their daughters. Findings of this study partly contradict other studies carried out in other countries.