Culture and Gender differences in spatial abilities.

Gender stereotypes have supported the idea that men are better at spatial and mathematical performance and women perform better at tasks associated with verbal comprehension. Early research in the U.S. supported these gender intellectual specialties as males performed better at experimental problems that required a comprehension of spatial relationships (Maccoby & Jacklin, 1974). It was suggested that these ability differences are biologically hardwired and developed as a result of evolutionary demands that required men and women to play different roles in hunting and childcare? Division of labor required men to develop an understanding of spatial relationships in the pursuit of prey and in the building of structures to house families? How gender ability differences arose probably cannot be answered, however the role of cultural socialization cannot be overlooked as it plays a significant role in all gender related behavior. Cultural relativity is supported by the research of Berry (1966) who found that females performed as well as males in Inuit (Eskimo) culture where spatial abilities were required of both genders to enhance survival.

Therefore gender ability differences in mastering spatial problems may be a result of cultural organization. For example some societies are loosely organized and promote independence in socialization whereas other cultures have “tight” organization that rewards interdependence. Berry (1976b) examined spatial abilities in 17 cultures and the results showed that whether males or females did better was culturally dependent. In summary, males do better on spatial tasks in relatively tight and sedentary cultures that are based on agriculture, whereas females are equal or better in relatively loose and nomadic cultures where they play a role in hunting or gathering that require spatial skills. However, in a meta-analysis (Born, Bleichrodt, & Van Der Flier, 1987) the researchers noted that while there are no reliable sex differences in overall intelligence, there are persistent distinctions on some subtests including verbal ability where females perform better and mathematical tests where males perform better. Nevertheless, the fact that these gender abilities vary by culture suggest that these aptitudes are not hardwired, but related to the function that the genders perform in a given culture.

Date: 2015-01-11; view: 794