Accuracy of Self-Estimated Abilities and the Relationship Between Self-Estimated Abilities and Realism for Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the study asked if women were significantly more likely to underestimate rather than overestimate their abilities. Second, the study asked if the accuracy of self-estimated abilities was related to the realism of the women's current occupation. The participants included 198 adult, working women. Results suggested women were significantly more likely to underestimate their abilities (based on the General Aptitude Test Battery) on general learning ability, verbal ability, spatial ability, form perception, clerical perception, and motor coordination. Furthermore, results suggested the tendency to underestimate abilities was related to the realism of women's occupational choice; underestimated abilities were underutilized in the occupation.