Self-assessed intelligence: No evidence for the “White male effect”

Ethnic differences in self-assessed intelligence (SAI) were examined in two studies. In Study 1 no differences in SAI were found. In Study 2 significant differences in SAI were found with Blacks rating themselves higher in intelligence than Whites, Asians, and Hispanics. Whites rated themselves higher than Hispanics. When scores on a measure of cognitive ability were taken into account it was found that Whites underestimated and Blacks overestimated their ability in comparison to each other and Asians and Hispanics. The results contradict previous findings of higher White SAI and are more consistent with ethnic differences in self-esteem. Future research could examine the possible role of self-esteem in ethnic differences in SAI and further disaggregate ethnic group categorization.