The analysis of fluid intelligence of adolescents based on their birth order and gender through the perceived parenting style

Abstract

The present research has been conducted with the aim of studying the predicting power of the variables of birth order and gender through parenting style on the intelligence of high school adolescents. In order to achieve the above stated aim, 280 individuals of the adolescents of the high schools of the 1st region of Tehran, who were studying in the educational year of 2010-2011 were selected by using multi-stage cluster sampling and tested by using Raven's Progressive Matrices test, parenting Shrink styles and researcher -made demographic characteristics. The methodology of the present research is path analysis method and the obtained data were analyzed by using AMOS20 and SPSS software. The obtained results from this research indicates that the variables of birth order and gender which have been entered into the path analysis for prediction of the intelligence level by using loving and controlling parenting style have a direct and indirect significant effect on fluid intelligence of adolescents. Also, there is a reverse and significant relationship between birth order and adolescent’s intelligence which indicates that an increase in the birth order (middle and last children) leads to a decrease in their intelligence level. This reverse effect increases with mediating controlling parenting style. Furthermore, the female gender has a negative effect on intelligence and this negative effect increases through the controlling parenting style. In general, it can be said that the birth order and gender of the adolescents with mediation of controlling and loving parenting style is effective on their intelligence.