Can (perceived) mental-rotation performance mediate gender differences in math anxiety in adolescents and young adults?

Mathematics Education Research Journal ◽

10.1007/s13394-021-00387-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Martina Rahe ◽

Claudia Quaiser-Pohl

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Mental Rotation ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Age Differences ◽

Math Anxiety ◽

Math Performance ◽

Self Concept ◽

Mental Rotation Test ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Gender And Age Differences

AbstractMath anxiety is a negative affective reaction in situations concerning mathematics and is related to poor math performance and a lower mathematical self-concept. Gender differences appear in math anxiety even though gender differences in math abilities are non-existent or minimal in effect size. In the present study, gender and age differences in math anxiety, mental-rotation performance, and perceived mental-rotation performance are investigated as well as (perceived) mental-rotation performance as possible mediators of the relation between gender and math anxiety. Ninety-seven children (54 females) between 11 and 15 years and 84 undergraduate students (59 females) solved a mental-rotation test, rated their performance in this test, and filled out a questionnaire about math anxiety. Increasing gender differences with age were found for math anxiety, mental-rotation performance, and perceived mental-rotation performance. Mental-rotation performance and perceived mental-rotation performance were significant individual mediators for gender differences in math anxiety. Adequate measures should be discussed to enhance females’ mental-rotation abilities and their perception of these skills to reduce gender differences in math anxiety.

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Cubes or Pellets in Mental-Rotation Tests: Effects on Gender Differences and on the Performance in a Subsequent Math Test

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs10010012 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Martina Rahe ◽

Claudia Quaiser-Pohl

Keyword(s):

Mental Rotation ◽

Stereotype Threat ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Test Performance ◽

Math Anxiety ◽

Stimulus Material ◽

Mental Rotation Test ◽

Male And Female ◽

Math Test ◽

Better Than

In mental rotation, males consistently outperform females in performance and confidence. Both can affect math anxiety. In the present study, 107 undergraduate students (85 female) solved a mental-rotation test either with cube (C-MRT) or pellet (P-MRT) figures as stimulus material, then reported their confidence in their ability in the test, and solved a math test. Males performed better than females in both test versions: In the C-MRT, with a large effect, and in the P-MRT, with a small effect, and reported higher scores in their confidence. In math test performance, males scored higher than females when they solved the math test after the C-MRT but not after the P-MRT. The interactions of gender and stimulus material were not significant. Correlations between confidence and math test performance were large for males and not significant for females. Stereotype threat and lift effects are discussed as possible reasons for the varying effects of the stimulus material on the MRT performance of male and female participants.

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Gender and Age Differences in Safety-Oriented Personality Style or Phobicentric Psychopathology (SOPS/PCP)

International Journal of Social Science Studies ◽

10.11114/ijsss.v6i12.3703 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (12) ◽

pp. 22

Author(s):

Patrick Bickersteth ◽

Xinxin Zhang ◽

Xiaozhou Zhang

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Age Differences ◽

Factor Model ◽

Five Factor Model ◽

Initial Step ◽

Personality Style ◽

Big 5 ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Gender And Age Differences ◽

Basic Facts

This study investigates differences in gender and age in the Safety-Oriented Personality Style or Phobicentric Psychopathology (SOPS/PCP). Comparisons are made with Neuroticism in the Big 5 or Five Factor Model to further distinguish it from SOPS/PCP. The results show similarity in age but not gender differences between the two constructs. Also, the location of the participants (Canada or USA) was not significant. The study is an initial step in accumulating basic facts about SOPS/PCP.

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Competitive Style and Game Preference

Journal of Sport Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsp.5.4.381 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 381-389 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Dickinson ◽

T. Sebastien ◽

L. Taylor

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Age Differences ◽

The Novel ◽

Age And Gender ◽

The North ◽

Competitive Game ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Gender And Age Differences ◽

And Gender ◽

Age Range

Children in the age range 8 to 13 years (72 males and 53 females), completed a game preference questionnaire and participated in a novel competitive game task, both the questionnaire and method of approach to the game could be evaluated in order to classify subjects as potents, fortunists, strategists, or potent-strategists in terms of competitive style. Predictions were made on the basis of studies within and between cultures concerning gender differences in competitive style. Based on evidence from within the North American culture, predictions were made concerning game preference and age differences. The results supported the predictions in terms of gender differences. Changes in game preference with age and gender, and age differences in competitive-style also conformed with predictions. It is considered that the novel competitive game task might make a useful instrument for evaluating competitive style.

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Potential gender and age differences in the performance of five condom-related behaviours in the United Kingdom

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh13185 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 87

Author(s):

Jude Hancock

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

United Kingdom ◽

Age Differences ◽

Safer Sex ◽

Age Difference ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Gender And Age Differences

Safer sex is important and comprises of a series of five condom-related behaviours: accessing, carrying, negotiating, using and disposing. This study explored potential gender and age differences in these condom-related behaviours. Data suggests gender differences exist for accessing, carrying and disposing behaviours. An age difference was seen in accessing behaviour. Therefore future safer sex interventions should acknowledge the potential gender and age differences in these condom-related behaviours.

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