Is intelligence between men and women different?
Many studies agree that the generality of men and women is very similar; However, something different happens when we talk about specific skills: the data indicate relevant and systematic differences in verbal, numerical and visoespatial ability, women score more than men in verbal ability and in tests where language is important. Men are more distinguished by their numerical and spatial abilities (assessed including visualization tasks and mental rotation).
- In any case.
- In terms of the ability to manipulate information.
- There are countless studies that do not reflect differences.
- Deany et al (2007) conducted a study in which brothers and sisters compared and their results show that women excel in word association.
- Speed of understanding tests and coding.
- Men.
- On the other hand.
- Get better results in tests of science.
- Arithmetic.
- Mechanical comprehension and electronic intelligence.
We can question the possibility that these differences are caused by cultural or educational factors, in this regard Feingold (1988) analyzes whether the differences between men and women are constant over generations or not, the results show that differences tend to decrease over generations. , and we assume that we can interfere, as well as in education.
In addition, according to the variability hypothesis, it must be said that there are differences between groups, that is, we cannot say that belonging to one sex or another makes us more suitable for certain tasks, but that the standard is variability. Most people have an average, and the average for men and women is the same; Differences occur in dispersion. Current intelligence data show that there is a higher percentage of men at the upper end of the intelligence distribution, but there is also a higher percentage at the lower end; however, in women, homogeneity is greater.
Another problem to add to contextual consideration of this data is the Flynn effect, a phenomenon that is defined by a steady increase in overall intelligence scores over generations. This effect is seen around the world and was first observed in the United States between the 1930s. Subsequently, a systematic analysis of this phenomenon was carried out in other countries, and it could be seen that, regardless of origin, at the age of 50 who in 1942 scored more than 95% of the population, in 2000 only more than 25%.
As mentioned above, could we explain these results by improving nutrition, education and/or cognitive stimulation?Apparently, as we discussed earlier about the gender differences, Feingold noted that these have been maintained for generations. However, in line with the Flynn effect, data from studies such as Teasdale and Owen (1989) show that the education hypothesis did not justify all situations, but that there was even an increase in intelligence l, even at the lowest educational levels.
As for the justification for the Flynn effect, it has been examined whether nutrition may have anything to do with generational evolution and the results obtained seem conclusive, albeit with some reservations; several authors, such as Eysenck and Schoentale, have analyzed this problem and determined that:
? Vitamin, mineral and protein levels in children are essential. Low levels of vitamins and minerals reduce the level of intelligence in young people.
? Vitamin and mineral supplements seem to significantly increase nonverbal intelligence in young people.
? The younger the age at which children receive dietary supplements, the greater the effects observed.
? These supplements have no effect on children with adequate levels of vitamins and minerals, this effect is visible after more than a year
? Vitamin deficiencies are as important to intellectual performance as mineral deficiencies are.
However, we cannot fail to wonder what this data means, and we must take it into account with a critical attitude. The main focus is this: do we measure intelligence correctly?Is intelligence an artificial concept ?, it seems that the data currently show that general intelligence, as traditionally understood by the collective unconscious, does not make much sense, and that it must be conceived as multiple intelligences, that allow our adaptation and evolution in Despite this, each approach is complementary and should not be devalued.
In other words, it is important to have an analytical and logical-mathematical intelligence to develop our academic skills, for example, but creative, musical, verbal, artistic and several others are also considered indispensable for personal and human evolution. It is normal for a person to stand out in one area or another, not globally.
In short, it is clear that intelligence is not something static and structural, we can and must discover our potential and promote the growth and development of our skills and abilities, regardless of our gender and social status.