Age-related sex differences in performance on a side-naming spatial task

Abstract

This study investigated age-related patterns in the magnitude of sex differences in a spatial ability task involving left-/right-side naming. Participants were divided into three age categories, 9 years, 13 years and 21-35 years, and asked to complete a paper-and-pencil test of spatial ability. Participants indicated whether crosses were on the left or right limbs of a series of stick-figures in a variety of orientations. A male superiority was found at each age level, with speed of correct responding increasing as a function of age in both sexes. Effect-size analyses indicated that the sex difference was greatest in the 13-year-old group, while homogeneity of performance in both sexes increased with age. The results are discussed in an evolutionary context.