Average Americans Think They're Smarter Than the Average American

[Hishiro]

And only 4% think they are less intelligent than most people.

I'll just leave this here: http://www.nationaljournal.com/domes...rican-20140512

The most telling thing about this study, besides how intelligent a person feels they are, is how self-deluded most Americans are instead.

Edit:

I feel I should edit for clarity because some people only see the post title and decide to post without reading... I realize that this applies to more than just Americans, that most people in the world are probably like this, but this particular study only looked at Americans in their sample, not a representative sample of the worldwide population. In the context of this post and this article, it was only speaking about the average American.

[Deleted]

People who are average or less tend to over estimate their own intelligence as the don't realise the depth of their ignorance.

people who are above average tend to underestimate it, as they recognize the areas they lack knowledge in.

So if you think you are smart chances are....

[Deleted]

Just think about how smart the average person is, then remember that almost 50% of them are even dumber than that.

[Reeve]

Average XXXXX think they're YYYYY-er than most XXXXX.

[couchboi]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that that can apply to most people on this planet, not just Americans.

[Dsonsion]

I don't think you'd encounter this only in the USA. I'm pretty sure studies would find that the Dunning-Kruger effect is not only inherent to americans, but to humanity as a whole.

[Rob D]

"AVERAGE AMERICANS THINK THEY'RE SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE AMERICAN"
"Most Americans think they're smarter than everyone else in the country."

I think whoever wrote that article might be a bit unsure what "Average" means.

[Cthulhu 2020]

I don't think you'd encounter this only in the USA. I'm pretty sure studies would find that the Dunning-Kruger effect is not only inherent to american, but to humanity as a whole.

I'm pretty sure that in America, our average is much lower than most developed nations. That's the sad part about it.

[Kalis]

Lots of people think they're smarter than they are?! Wow, fascinating stuff.

Any more revelations for us?

[Magpai]

Just think about how smart the average person is, then remember that almost 50% of them are even dumber than that.

Does that include people who confuse average with median, or people who quote comedians to make themselves sound smarter?

Anyway OP, the only delusion going on here is the delusion that this behavior is exclusive or even more common in the US. Very few people in the world are willing to admit they're below average in intelligence. I've never once seen it stated on these forums, for example

[Pendulous]

So, around 50% of the people said they were smarter than average? That's only a 5% differential, I'd say mathematically speaking, that's pretty good, especially since people aren't going to be willing to admit they're not very smart. What is the point of this "research" again?

[Magpai]

As it stands, intelligence is thought to be normally distributed and thus the mean and median would be very similar, if not identical.

I forget, what units is intelligence measured in again?

[Tziva]

This is not an American thing or even an intelligence thing.

People in general tend to place themselves as "above-average" more often than not. Intelligence, driving skills, looks, whatever.

[Reeve]

This is not an American thing or even an intelligence thing.

People in general tend to place themselves as "above-average" more often than not. Intelligence, driving skills, looks, whatever.

I remember in a traffic school once upon a time 10 years or so ago, they asked who in the room thought they were a good driver. I was the only one who didn't raise my hand. When they asked why I thought that, I told them my driving record to that point. I had a little old lady give me serious shit-face and say, "You shouldn't even be on the ROAD!!!!"

[Deleted]

I can forgive people for being a little dumb, it is the arrogant snobs that correct every minor detail that deserve ridicule.

[Stop Pretending]

I can forgive people for being a little dumb, it is the arrogant snobs that correct every minor detail that deserve ridicule.

That's my father-in-law. He knows everything about everything, and when he is wrong, he will never admit it. Most obnoxious man to be around.

[OzoAndIndi]

Think I'm pretty good with some things, average with MOST things, and well admit I'd prob more qualify as a dumbass with some things like math... just not wired for that junk or numbers.

[diddle]

I would imagine this mentality applies to every human on Earth, this is just basic human nature.

[Deleted]

Cite what you said to George Carlin. Can't let you take credit for that.

Don't listen to his stuff, it was just something someone else told me once. He makes a lot of sense if that is his quote.

[Bearfist]

That's my father-in-law. He knows everything about everything, and when he is wrong, he will never admit it. Most obnoxious man to be around.

I know people like that. Grrr. /shakes fist

On the other side of it, ignorance is curable, stupidity is forever!