The Psychology of Gender 4th Edition

Sex-Related Comparisons: Observations 113

Logan Boulevard

Carnegie Avenue

Porter Road

Emily Ave

Kittanning Avenue

Seventh Street

Eighth St Sixth St

Pamela St

Meredith Way

Jamie Street

Katja Way

Dianne Ave Sydney Lane

Vicki Way

Town Hall

Katja

Park

Jeffrey Elementary

Library

DO GENDER 4.1

Sex Comparisons in Directions

Choose one location that is across the town

or city where you live and one location that

is not very far away. Ask 10 women and 10

men to give you directions to each of these

locations. Then have them write out the

directions. Record use of landmarks, esti-

mates of distance, use of street names, and

north/south/east/west terminology to see if

there are sex differences.

FIGURE 4.7 Research has suggested that men and women give directions

differently: Men use north/south/east/west terminology and women use land-

marks. How would you get from the Town Hall to Katja Park?

Despite the importance of spatial skills,

the educational system and educational test-

ing in the United States is oriented toward

math and verbal skills. Spatial skills predict

the completion of advanced degrees and the

entering of Science/Technology/Engineering/

Math (STEM) careers (Wai, Lubinski, &

Benbow, 2009). Yet, there is virtually no

emphasis on spatial skill development in the

U.S. education system. Perhaps because men

and women are socialized to pursue different

fields, spatial skills end up being related to

artistic pursuits in women and engineering

careers in men.

TAKE HOME POINTS

■ The direction and magnitude of sex differences in

spatial abilities depend on the specific task.

■ Of all the spatial abilities, the sex difference in mental

rotation is the largest, in favor of men.

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