Girls May Improve Spatial Ability by Playing More Boy Games

[Quiet]

Girls May Improve Spatial Ability by Playing More Boy Games

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on April 8, 2013

from http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/0...-ability-by-playing-more-boy-games/53560.html

Though general intelligence is about the same for males and females, studies consistently find that overall, men do better in tests of spatial ability.

A new review examines published studies on gender roles and the impact the roles may have on the development of skill sets such as spatial abilities.

The observation of a gender differentiation of skill abilities has fostered numerous research studies to determine whether this disparity is attributable to nature or nurture.

These studies are important because there are still fewer women in tertiary education studying science, technology, engineering and math – all subjects where it helps to have good spatial ability.

In the new review, published in the journal Sex Roles, researchers examine one of the factors posited to contribute to gender differences in spatial ability – that of gender-roles.

Although children are born either male or female, individuals differ in their degree of masculine and feminine identification and endorsement of masculine and feminine gender roles, according to researchers David Reilly and David Neumann, Ph.D., from Griffith University in Australia.

Reilly and Neumann note that studies in their review reported finding larger within-gender variations in spatial ability than between-gender. This then led them to look more specifically at the data on variables within males and females which might be able to explain this.

The researchers analyzed 12 studies which had looked specifically at one aspect of spatial ability, namely mental rotation, in high school pupils, college attendees and young adults.

Collectively these studies showed a significant association between masculinity and mental rotation performance for both men and women. In other words, men and women with either a strong masculine or androgynous gender identity fared better in mental rotation tasks.

The authors suggest that it is the considerable variation in the levels of typically masculine and feminine traits and behaviors, that children of the same sex develop, which account for the inter-gender variability.

Masculine identification leads to cultivation of mathematical and scientific skills whereas feminine identification facilitates verbal and language abilities. These gender-roles are not mutually exclusive, with some children of both genders developing a healthy integration of both roles.

Researchers believe development of spatial ability is refined through play and recreational activities, with traditionally masculine activities helping to promote development of spatial ability.

Therefore improving girls’ performance in subjects which require good spatial ability may involve the deliberate inclusion of what are commonly seen as stereotypically male activities into their daily lives, rather than encouraging sex-segregation of activities.

 

[Faye]

I really do think there is something in learning to navigate the maps in video games. It is extremely spatial, and you have to be able to act fast in games like platform and FPS.

I am not so sure about the association between math and science. I think that has more to do with gender roles and the socialization of women than anything in the brain. Women are just as capable as men of doing math and science, but they often are not encouraged or are even discouraged from doing so- even in subtle ways. The field of engineering, even today, still has a lot of sexism toward women for example. The article frame it as having either masculine or feminine identification, so that begs the question as to whether or not those things are biological or are merely cultural and no significant biological differences exist mentally between men and women.

The jury is still out on that one.

 

[cvp12gh5]

[MENTION=4956]charlene[/MENTION]

This is interesting. When I was young, the schools in the U.S. administered these (I guess you could call them) aptitude tests and one of these tests measured spatial abilities. After taking the tests, my school was informed a few weeks later that one of their students placed first in the nation on the spatial relations test...yours truly. A perfect score. So I'm wondering what they view as traditionally masculine activities? Maybe I was partaking in them which then helped me develop my spatial abilities...although I did love me some Barbies and unicorns, so I don't know...lol.

Anyhow, I'm currently in school for Graphic Design so I can see how my spatial abilities come into play there.

And I would have to agree with [MENTION=834]Dragon[/MENTION] regarding the math and science.

 

[Sriracha]

I really do think there is something in learning to navigate the maps in video games. It is extremely spatial, and you have to be able to act fast in games like platform and FPS.

I am not so sure about the association between math and science. I think that has more to do with gender roles and the socialization of women than anything in the brain. Women are just as capable as men of doing math and science, but they often are not encouraged or are even discouraged from doing so- even in subtle ways. The field of engineering, even today, still has a lot of sexism toward women for example. The article frame it as having either masculine or feminine identification, so that begs the question as to whether or not those things are biological or are merely cultural and no significant biological differences exist mentally between men and women.

The jury is still out on that one.

Part of me wonders if they would see a difference in Tomboys vs. Girlie Girls. http://www.infjs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23335 ... I made that thread a while back, but the quiz is testing the ability of your brain in certain areas. I would definitely consider myself a Tomboy, my father was very involved in my life, and now I live in a house with 3 other males (I say that because of the reinforcement of doing male dominated activities.) I believe that my generation is among the first where fathers had a more important role in child rearing, and were more hands on. It's fascinating to think of how each parent can affect the brain development of a young child.

personal brain score: 50/Male
angles: 19/20 (male dominant)
spot the difference: 20% (male dominant, I have no memory lol)
hands: left thumb on top
empathizing: 15/20 (female dominant)
systemising: 7/20 (female dominant)
eyes: 6/10 (balanced)
fingers: right-.94 ratio and left-.98 ration (male dominant)
faces: prefer masculine
3D shapes: 7/12 (female dominant)
Words: (face palm) 5 words produced on each word (strong, silent type male ... says I probably find it easier to express myself in non-verbal ways ... true)
Ultimatum: demanded less (female dominant)

 

[ThisIsWhoIAm]

Skill comes from repeatedly practicing something day after day.

Makes sense.

 

[hk427f3]

H.G. Wells wrote a book, a hundred years ago, called, Little Wars: a game for boys from twelve years of age to one hundred and fifty and for that more intelligent sort of girl who likes boys' games and books.

Yup.

 

[Gul Dukat]

Skill comes from repeatedly practicing something day after day.

Makes sense.

Yes, this.

I suppose that this also goes a long way to proving the whole 'gender is a social construct' idea.

 

[SealHammer]

To no one's surprise, researchers find that doing things which exercise certain mental faculties makes those mental faculties more efficient.

In all seriousness, I think the hundreds of hours I've spent on video gaming has contributed significantly to the development of my spatial abilities. Puzzle games, racing games, shooters (shmups too), even simulators all help to develop a more adaptive awareness of the objective world and, depending how you adapt it, the subjective world.

I also agree with Dragon as far as the connection between spatial ability and career stats being less important than the connection between sexist cultural norms and career stats. It's grasping if I've ever seen it.

 

[sprinkles]

What's a boy game?

[video=youtube;xuu7S0obXPI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuu7S0obXPI[/video]

Anyway. Portal is very spatial. Once you play it, the catchphrase "Now you're thinking with portals" has a lot of meaning because it really does change how your brain approaches things.

 

[Bikerdelic]

Interesting, although I don't believe it has to be video games, something that makes my head feel giddy after an hour playing lol. It is how children are brought up that makes all the difference. If me and my partner had decided to have children and we would have had a daughter, if that daughter had showed an interest in Motorcycles and mechanics like me, I would have most surely supported her in doing these activities that would have been traditionally classed as male pursuits. If she had of wanted to play Cricket or Football (Even if I don't like Sport myself) I would have supported her, as I don't believe that gender roles have to be set in stone. Touching on the subject of "mental rotation performance for both men and women" well I have Artist ability and have good communication skills as a poet, so this could be seen as the more feminine aspect of my mind (Yin and Yang) whilst I am also mechanical minded, as I work on my own Motorcycles, so this could be perceived as the masculine aspect of my mind. These aspects of my personality have always complimented one another especially in my passion of motorcycles, as my artistic eye helps me to build smart looking bikes, whilst my mechanical aspects helps to keep them running and on the road.
If I had a Daughter and she wanted to follow her dad into motorcycling, I would have been quietly proud.
Spatial ability, comes from I believe our primordial hunting abilities and so due to the fact that Men traditionally hunted, whilst the women looked after the family group, clan, woman developed more of a precise communication method in their discussions, using a larger vocabulary, as it was important for them to keep the social group together so as to create a safe environment for children.
So two different forms of communication and thinking learnt for two different types of tasks. Hunting and nurturing. There is also evidence that it was women that created the environment and muse for the early religious spiritual beliefs of our ancient ancestors, as the first ancient artefacts found relating to the first Gods, were in fact symbols of female fertility and hence the first Goddesses, the feminine aspect of humanity. It has only been since the advent of Christianity in Europe that these long held ideas started to change, bringing with it another cultural idea of women that has its roots and origins in the Middle east. I think that as Christianity loses its influence on the minds and perceptions of people today, there will be an renewed interest in the feminine aspect in spirituality, whether its people getting into Paganism or other beliefs such as the one I adhere to. I think a lot is down so social and cultural conditioning, but cultures do change as do all things in existence.

 

[Quiet]

[MENTION=4956]charlene[/MENTION]

This is interesting. When I was young, the schools in the U.S. administered these (I guess you could call them) aptitude tests and one of these tests measured spatial abilities. After taking the tests, my school was informed a few weeks later that one of their students placed first in the nation on the spatial relations test...yours truly. A perfect score. So I'm wondering what they view as traditionally masculine activities? Maybe I was partaking in them which then helped me develop my spatial abilities...although I did love me some Barbies and unicorns, so I don't know...lol.

Anyhow, I'm currently in school for Graphic Design so I can see how my spatial abilities come into play there.

And I would have to agree with [MENTION=834]Dragon[/MENTION] regarding the math and science.

Thats so cool! Im glad that you're in graphic design using your awesome skills. I think some people just have natural ability too, i dont think its necessarily gender related in all cases. You're probably just naturally awesome and skilled!

Dont know what they would consider traditionally masculine activities. I didnt read the paper, just the article. I posted it because i found it interesting that something many people think is biological or sex related is actually more related to gender and cultural/social constructs. Maybe boys games would be along the lines of sports, treasure maps, chasing games, model building lego etc. Those games could definately develop spatial skills. But the idea of boys or girls games really depends on the culture, parents, child's individual personality.

It got me thinking about the games i play with my daughter. We do a lot of role play, cooking, gardening, lego, reading, singing, walking, dancing, art. She also does a lot of the household cleaning with me. She's around when i cook meals, hang out with my girlfriends, entertain guests etc. In effect, im inadvertantly constantly modeling 'girl' behaviour to her, along with my sister and her dad's girlfriend who also live with us. We spend a lot of time talking and im contantly explaining things to her. I play with her in a very different way to her dad. He roughs her up more, gets her to play catch, ride her bike, play computer games etc. Ive also noticed she plays and interacts differently when she's around males, females or mixed sex groups. She acts more 'girly' with the girls, and more 'tomboyish' around the boys. If it makes any sense, she seems to be 'natural' or herself when she's in mixed groups but sometimes she can become very extra 'girly' and side with the girls against the boys.

I think one of the main reason women are supposedly better communicaters is because they are socialised to be so. Males are socialised to be better with visio spatial skills. But this is all very dependant on collective culture and individual personality