There's quite a few different theory/hypotheses/whatever surrounding the idea that most people view themselves as better than the average regardless of where they actually are, and here two of the most common ones:
Illusory Superiority [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Above_average_effect] (also known as the "Above Average Effect")
Dunning-Kruger Effect [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect]
Essentially, most people will view themselves as better than the average to boost their self-esteem; unsurprisingly, depressive individuals might actually have a better grasp of where they are in relation to the "average" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressive_realism]. So yes, it's not that surprisingly that most people are going to call themsevles "above average"; after all, no one likes to be view themselves as inferior.
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As for myself, there's no way to dodge what could be viewed as hypocritical due to the above section (and there's no way to deny that it'd be at least somewhat arrogant); in other words, I'm pretty damn certain that I'm well above the average. I'm in the last semester of my engineering degree, and I'm specializing in what is effectively bridge design; specifically, my selection for technical electives is water resources and structural design (which is the most demanding set of courses I've ever taken). While social and economic constraints keep a lot of people who are otherwise capable of acquiring the required education from doing so, it's pretty safe to say that any given engineering student is "above average" (especially those that make it through the program and graduate).
As for other indications for me to consider myself above the average?
- A knack for problem solving and figuring out technical/mechanical issues by observation (even with stuff I've never seen before). Still have to know when something exceeds your capabilities though.
- Having to remember to simplify everything I say down to a more accessible level, and being able to do so. Anyone can know the the technical jargon (which is often much longer than is necessary), but only one who understands it can explain it in a way so that everyone who isn't an expert in the field can "get it"... or at least to the extent they'll have a functional comprehension of the idea.
- Having to remember that most people just have no comprehension of stuff I consider mundane. Say something like "energy head loss" and most people will have no idea what the hell it means, even though it's an important concept for the systems which give people running water. Or perhaps correlation between water content and the strength of concrete? Or why some buildings need piles for the foundation and others don't? Perhaps this one could be more engineering related than strictly intelligence; but the vast majority of people just don't appreciate what goes into the infrastructure of where they live at all, let alone an understanding of the technical aspects.
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Given my position and understanding of many subjects, I can safely say I'm above the average. It's something which I try not to go to my head, but the byproduct of that is that I'm surprised far too often about how non-sensical people can be. More often than not, the solution to far too many problems is immediately apparent to me.... and the person who's actually having the problem keeps doing the same thing over and over again to try and solve it. If they would only step back and think for a few seconds, they could see the same. In many cases I'll point it out to help them out, but unfortunately they seldom take it very well; offering help when it isn't asked for is perceived as being arrogant, even when you're not trying to be.
Common sense, regrettably, isn't quite so common.
... which makes the endemnic prevalence of the "Above Average Effect" quite ironic.
Illusory Superiority [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Above_average_effect] (also known as the "Above Average Effect")
Dunning-Kruger Effect [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect]
Essentially, most people will view themselves as better than the average to boost their self-esteem; unsurprisingly, depressive individuals might actually have a better grasp of where they are in relation to the "average" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressive_realism]. So yes, it's not that surprisingly that most people are going to call themsevles "above average"; after all, no one likes to be view themselves as inferior.
---
As for myself, there's no way to dodge what could be viewed as hypocritical due to the above section (and there's no way to deny that it'd be at least somewhat arrogant); in other words, I'm pretty damn certain that I'm well above the average. I'm in the last semester of my engineering degree, and I'm specializing in what is effectively bridge design; specifically, my selection for technical electives is water resources and structural design (which is the most demanding set of courses I've ever taken). While social and economic constraints keep a lot of people who are otherwise capable of acquiring the required education from doing so, it's pretty safe to say that any given engineering student is "above average" (especially those that make it through the program and graduate).
As for other indications for me to consider myself above the average?
- A knack for problem solving and figuring out technical/mechanical issues by observation (even with stuff I've never seen before). Still have to know when something exceeds your capabilities though.
- Having to remember to simplify everything I say down to a more accessible level, and being able to do so. Anyone can know the the technical jargon (which is often much longer than is necessary), but only one who understands it can explain it in a way so that everyone who isn't an expert in the field can "get it"... or at least to the extent they'll have a functional comprehension of the idea.
- Having to remember that most people just have no comprehension of stuff I consider mundane. Say something like "energy head loss" and most people will have no idea what the hell it means, even though it's an important concept for the systems which give people running water. Or perhaps correlation between water content and the strength of concrete? Or why some buildings need piles for the foundation and others don't? Perhaps this one could be more engineering related than strictly intelligence; but the vast majority of people just don't appreciate what goes into the infrastructure of where they live at all, let alone an understanding of the technical aspects.
---
Given my position and understanding of many subjects, I can safely say I'm above the average. It's something which I try not to go to my head, but the byproduct of that is that I'm surprised far too often about how non-sensical people can be. More often than not, the solution to far too many problems is immediately apparent to me.... and the person who's actually having the problem keeps doing the same thing over and over again to try and solve it. If they would only step back and think for a few seconds, they could see the same. In many cases I'll point it out to help them out, but unfortunately they seldom take it very well; offering help when it isn't asked for is perceived as being arrogant, even when you're not trying to be.
Common sense, regrettably, isn't quite so common.
... which makes the endemnic prevalence of the "Above Average Effect" quite ironic.
