The moderating effect of personality on the accuracy of self-estimates of intelligence

The direct influences were investigated of test-based measures of intelligence and personality on self-estimates of intelligence, as well as the potential moderating role of personality on the accuracy of self-estimates. Participants (N = 189) completed a Big-Five personality traits measure, self-estimated their Fluid reasoning (Gf), Comprehension-knowledge (Gc), and Visual processing (Gv), and completed related subtests from the Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities. Regression analysis demonstrated that test-based measures of Gf, Gc, and Gv significantly predicted parallel self-estimates, and while Neuroticism, Openness and Agreeableness accounted for a significant amount of additional variance in self-estimated Gf, personality did not explain significant variance in self-estimated Gc or Gv. Personality was also found to moderate the relationship between test-based and self-estimated Gf and Gv with low extraversion resulting in more accurate self-estimates of Gf (b = 0.65, p < 0.001) and Gv (b = 0.42, p < 0.01), and high agreeableness in more accurate self-estimates of Gf (b = 0.65, p < 0.001). Understanding predispositions that distort self-perceptions of intellectual capacities has important clinical ramifications for improving inappropriate expectations and self image.

► Investigation of self-estimates of cognitive abilities using robust Cattell-Horn-Carroll factors. ► Observed strong relationship between psychometric and self-estimated comprehension-knowledge. ► Extraversion and agreeableness significantly moderated the accuracy of self-estimated fluid reasoning and visual processing.