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Cited by 67Social and Intergroup PsychologyGender Roles and Identity StudiesGender and Feminist Studies

Gender-Stereotyping and Cognitive Sex Differences in Mixed- and Same-Sex Groups

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Hirnstein, Marco, Coloma Andrews, Lisa, Hausmann, Markus·2014·Archives of Sexual Behavior
DOI 10.1007/s10508-014-0311-5PMC PMC4198804
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Abstract

Sex differences in specific cognitive abilities are well documented, but the biological, psychological, and sociocultural interactions that may underlie these differences are largely unknown. We examined within a biopsychosocial approach how gender stereotypes affect cognitive sex differences when adult participants were tested in mixed- or same-sex groups. A total of 136 participants (70 women) were allocated to either mixed- or same-sex groups and completed a battery of sex-sensitive cognitive tests (i.e., mental rotation, verbal fluency, perceptual speed) after gender stereotypes or gender-neutral stereotypes (control) were activated. To study the potential role of testosterone as a mediator for group sex composition and stereotype boost/threat effects, saliva samples were taken before the stereotype manipulation and after cognitive testing. The results showed the typical male and female advantages in mental rotation and verbal fluency, respectively. In general, men and women who were tested in mixed-sex groups and whose gender stereotypes had not been activated performed best. Moreover, a stereotype threat effect emerged in verbal fluency with reduced performance in gender stereotyped men but not women. Testosterone levels did not mediate the effects of group sex composition and stereotype threat nor did we find any relationship between testosterone and cognitive performance in men and women. Taken together, the findings suggest that an interaction of gender stereotyping and group sex composition affects the performance of men and women in sex-sensitive cognitive tasks. Mixed-sex settings can, in fact, increase cognitive performance as long as gender-stereotyping is prevented.

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Authors
Hirnstein, M., Coloma Andrews, L., & Hausmann, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Bergen (NO)
  • Durham University (GB)
Corresponding author
Hirnstein, Marco
ORCID
Venue
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2014-06-13
Volume
43
Issue
8
Pages
1663-1673
ISSN
  • 0004-0002 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2800
DOI
10.1007/s10508-014-0311-5
PMC
PMC4198804
OpenAlex
W2072211333
Cited by
67
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2
FWCI
11.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Archives of Sexual Behavior (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Durham Research Online (Durham University) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Roles and Identity Studies
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
Keywords
gender stereotypes, cognitive sex differences, stereotype threat, mixed-sex groups, testosterone, mental rotation, verbal fluency, perceptual speed, biopsychosocial model
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Cognition, Female, Gender Identity, Humans, Intelligence Tests, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychomotor Performance, Sex Characteristics, Space Perception, Stereotyped Behavior, Stereotyping, Testosterone, Verbal Behavior, Negotiating, Sexuality

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