Males' superior spatial ability probably not an evolutionary adaptation

03/2013

Evidence against an evolutionary explanation for male superiority in spatial ability coves from a review of 35 studies covering 11 species: cuttlefish, deer mice, horses, humans, laboratory mice, meadow voles, pine voles, prairie voles, rats, rhesus macaques and talastuco-tucos (a type of burrowing rodent). In eight species, males demonstrated moderately superior spatial skills to their female counterparts, regardless of the size of their territories or the extent to which males ranged farther than females of the same species.

The findings lend support to an alternative theory: that the tendency for males to be better at spatial navigation may just be a "side effect" of testosterone.

http://phys.org/news/2013-02-males-superior-spatial-ability-evolutionary.html

[3315] Clint, E. K., Sober E., GarlandJr. T., & Rhodes J. S.
(2012). Male Superiority in Spatial Navigation: Adaptation or Side Effect?.
The Quarterly Review of Biology. 87(4), 289 - 313.

Full text available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/668168

testosterone

Related News

Another challenge to idea that men are better at spatial thinking

Here’s an intriguing approach to the long-standing debate about gender differences in spatial thinking. The study involved 1,279 adults from two cultural groups in India. One of these groups was patrilineal, the other matrilineal.

Young binge drinkers less able to learn new verbal information

Following animal research indicating that binge drinking damages the

Adverse changes in sleep duration associated with cognitive decline in middle-aged adults

From the Whitehall II study, data involving 5431 older participants (45-69 at baseline) has revealed a significant effect of midlife sleep changes on later cognitive function. Sleep duration was assessed at one point between 1997 and 1999, and again between 2002 and 2004.

The importance of the cerebellum for intelligence and age-related cognitive decline

Shrinking of the

Steep cholesterol decline in older women linked to Alzheimer's risk

Research into the link, if any, between cholesterol and dementia, has been somewhat contradictory. A very long-running Swedish study may explain why.

Effects of caffeine vary with quantity and gender

A study involving 80 college students (34 men and 46 women) between the ages of 18 and 40, has found that those given a caffeinated energy drink reported feeling more stimulated and less tired than those given a decaffeinated soda or no drink.

Girls less likely to be diagnosed autistic even when symptoms severe

No one is denying that boys are far more likely to be autistic than girls, but a new study has found that this perception of autism as a male disorder also means that girls are less likely to be diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) even when their symptoms are equally severe.

Review makes clear no gender differences in math ability

A meta-analysis of 242 articles assessing the math skills of 1,286,350 people found no difference between the two sexes.

Women's brains grow after giving birth

The issue of “mommy brain” is a complex one. Inconsistent research results make it clear that there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not pregnancy and infant care change women’s brains. But a new study adds to the picture.

When estrogen helps memory, and when it doesn’t

Recent rodent studies add to our understanding of how estrogen affects learning and memory.

Pages