Spatial Problem-Solving Strategies as Functions of Sex

Sex differences in spatial ability may be related to different problem-solving methods. Two spatial tests, Choosing A Path and Witkin's Rod and Frame Test, and related strategy questionnaires were given to 50 male and 50 female adults. Multivariate analyses of variance on the strategy questionnaires were significant. Women were more likely to use concrete and unorganized methods and to give up or skip problems. Spearman correlations between the males' and females' rank orders of strategies were high and significant, so that both similarities and differences between the sexes were demonstrated.

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Field Dependence among Male and Female Alcoholics: II. Norms for the Rod-and-Frame Test

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1976.43.2.399 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 399-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

George R. Jacobson ◽

Ann Van Dyke ◽

Theodore G. Sternbach ◽

Russell Brethauer

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Field Dependence ◽

Normative Data ◽

Male And Female ◽

Field Dependent ◽

Perceptual Style ◽

Males And Females ◽

Rod And Frame Test ◽

Rod And Frame

402 males and 160 females hospitalized for treatment of alcoholism were tested in a standardized manner on the Rod-and-frame test as a means of supplementing an earlier report of normative data on perceptual style among male alcoholics. When their performance was contrasted with that of normal and psychiatric samples, alcoholics were clearly the most field dependent of all groups studied. Statistically significant sex differences justify the need for separate norms for males and females.

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Sex Differences in Feedback: Effects on Rod-and-Frame Performance

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1979.48.3c.1279 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 48 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 1279-1285 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

G. Erdos

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Feedback Effects ◽

Starting Position ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Males And Females ◽

Rod And Frame Test ◽

Rod And Frame

It has been demonstrated that feedback is effective in changing rod-and-frame performance for women if given the opportunity to adjust the rod to the vertical repeatedly from the same starting position. It is also shown that the significant difference between males and females in the Rod-and-frame Test is carried by the large difference in the initial tilting position.

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Sex Differences in Spatial Problem-Solving Styles

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1974.39.2.843 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 843-846 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Mary J. Allen

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Problem Solving ◽

University Student ◽

Spatial Problem ◽

Parallel Form ◽

Student Volunteers ◽

Problem Solving Strategies ◽

Concrete Solution ◽

Spatial Problem Solving

University student volunteers, 47 women and 46 men, took a battery of 6 spatial tests and checked for problems in a parallel form of each test a list of possible problem-solving strategies. Significant sex differences on reported strategy used for 3 of the tests were found. Evidence suggests that the women were less efficient than the men in their use of frequently used strategies and used more guessing and concrete solution styles.

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Sex Differences in Spatial Ability: A Critique

International Journal of Behavioral Development ◽

10.1177/016502547800100304 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 241-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah-Jane Clear

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Mental Rotation ◽

Spatial Ability ◽

Cognitive Strategies ◽

Recessive Gene ◽

Current Theory ◽

Spatial Problem ◽

Sex Typing

This paper examines the controversy surrounding the two main problem areas of this field. The first problem is the definition and description of spatial ability, there being concern over precisely what is measured by different tests, and the lack of independence of such tests. The second area deals with the aetiology of sex differences in spatial ability. The most compelling current theory, that of a recessive gene influence, has certain anomalies which require additional factors, such as sex-typing or hormonal limitation, to be brought in to complete the explanation, although these too require further clarification. Searching for a cause of sex differences without an understanding of the cognitive strategies involved would seem to be a sterile pursuit, and it is proposed that an analysis of spatial problem solving (e.g. in mental rotation) will shed more light on individual differences, set in the context of genetic and environmental influences.

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SEX DIFFERENCES IN PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES USED BY HIGH-SCORING EXAMINEES ON THE SAT-M

ETS Research Report Series ◽

10.1002/j.2333-8504.1992.tb01464.x ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 1992 (1) ◽

pp. i-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ann M. Gallagher

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Problem Solving Strategies

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Sex Differences in Undershoot with Extended Exposure Time in the Rod-and-Frame Test

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1974.38.2.543 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 543-546 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. W. Hayes ◽

P. H. Venables

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Exposure Time ◽

Significant Interaction ◽

Time Effect ◽

Time Condition ◽

Sensitive Measure ◽

Significant Impairment ◽

Extended Exposure ◽

Rod And Frame Test ◽

Rod And Frame

In 11 male and 11 female Ss increased exposure time in the RFT gave a significant impairment in performance, as measured in absolute mean error ( p < .001), establishing that the exposure-time effect reported by the same authors in 26 female Ss also applies to males. When sign of error was taken into account, undershoot in the long exposure time condition was significantly greater than overshoot ( p < .001) and a significant interaction between sex and undershoot-overshoot was demonstrated ( p < .05). Use of long exposures gives a more sensitive measure of sex differences in premature reporting of upright in the RFT.

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Field Dependence: Experimenters' Expectancy, Sex Difference or No Difference?

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1989.68.2.355 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 355-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Caroline Munoz Peplin ◽

Janet D. Larsen

Keyword(s):

Field Dependence ◽

Men And Women ◽

Embedded Figures Test ◽

Expectancy Effect ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Embedded Figures ◽

Males And Females ◽

Rod And Frame Test ◽

Rod And Frame ◽

Expected Outcomes

The possibility that sex differences found in previous research on field dependence may have been due partly to experimenters' expectancy was investigated. Three pairs of naive student-experimenters received different information about expected outcomes for males and females on the Rod and Frame Test and the Embedded Figures Test. There was no evidence of an experimenters' expectancy effect, but there was also no significant difference in the performance of men and women on these two tests of field dependence.

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Cognitive sex differences: Speed and problem solving strategies in computerized neuropsychological tasks

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e578442009-001 ◽

1986 ◽

Author(s):

Britt af Klinteberg ◽

Sten E. Levander ◽

Daisy Schalling

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Problem Solving Strategies ◽

Neuropsychological Tasks

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Cognitive Set Influences on Witkin's Rod-and-Frame Test

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1977.44.2.439 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 439-444 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Richard H. Reinking

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Assessment Method ◽

Control Group ◽

Cognitive Set ◽

Situational Variable ◽

Complex Relationships ◽

Primary Assessment ◽

The Impact ◽

Rod And Frame Test ◽

Rod And Frame

Witkin's field-dependence theory is embroiled in conflict as research shows its primary assessment method, the Rod-and-frame Test, is influenced by situational events. This study explored the impact of an additional situational variable, locus of problem-solving data search, a cognitive set modified from Rotter's (1966) work. Two experimental groups of hospitalized alcoholics received standard Witkin instructions plus instructions emphasizing either an internal or external search for problem-solving cues. A control group received only Witkin's instructions. Analysis of variance showed the special instructions affected rod-and-frame scores in the predicted directions. The results were interpreted as indicating a need for a multi-factor approach to analyzing the complex relationships of the Rod-and-frame Test.

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Sex differences in spatial ability: a test of the range size hypothesis in the order Carnivora

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2010.1116 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 380-383 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Bonnie M. Perdue ◽

Rebecca J. Snyder ◽

Zhang Zhihe ◽

M. Jackson Marr ◽

Terry L. Maple

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Mating System ◽

Spatial Cognition ◽

Spatial Ability ◽

Range Size ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Giant Pandas ◽

Monogamous Species ◽

Males And Females

Sex differences in spatial cognition have been reported for many species ranging from voles to humans. The range size hypothesis predicts that sex differences in spatial ability will only occur in species in which the mating system selects for differential range size. Consistent with this prediction, we observed sex differences in spatial ability in giant pandas, a promiscuous species in which males inhabit larger ranges than females, but did not observe sex differences in Asian small-clawed otters, a related monogamous species in which males and females share home ranges. These results provide the first evidence of sex differences in spatial ability in the order Carnivora, and are consistent with the range size hypothesis.

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