Intelligence, Beliefs on IQ and Learning Style predict Academic Performance in Mechanical Engineering Students

Abstract

In this study we aimed to investigate whether beliefs on intelligence, intelligence quotient, and learning styles predict academic performance among students in mechanical engineering. For this purpose, forty-two students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Porto were recruited among the available population. Participants responded to the measurement of this study via a Google form and on a voluntary basis. To investigate our hypothesis, beliefs on intelligence inventory, learning style questionnaire, Raven’s Progressive Matrices IQ test and their GPA as an indicator of their academic performance were used. Correlation analysis revealed significant effects between reflector learning style and academic achievement. Multiple regression also revealed a significant main effect of the reflector learning style on academic performance (p = .044). This study further revealed no significant correlation between other learning styles, beliefs on intelligence, intelligence quotient and academic performance.