Elina S Tsigeman, Ksenia V Bartseva, Evgeniia A Alenina, Elena L Soldatova, Yulia V Kovas, Maxim V Likhanov
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: After decades of research, gender differences in spatial abilities (SA) remain poorly understood. Among factors that may contribute to these differences are self-perceived SA, inclinations, everyday behaviour and interests in SA-related activities, and related personality characteristics. In order to understand these links, a multifactorial approach is needed.
Objective: This study explored the relationships among SA, spatial interests, and personality among adolescent boys and girls.
Design: The study recruited 660 participants (mean age = 15.04, SD = 1.08; 48 females) from public schools. Participants contributed data on a battery of SA tests; 8 personality traits: Big Five and Dark Triad; as well as SA-related activities: spatial interests and school commute information (mode and time) as a proxy for everyday spatial behaviour.
Results: Weak-to-moderate mean gender differences were observed: males scored higher on spatial ability, spatial interests, machiavellianism, and psychopathy; and females on agreeableness, openness to experience, and neuroticism. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed some gender differences in associations among personality traits and SA. In males, openness to experience and conscientiousness were significantly related to SA test performance. In females, openness to experience, extraversion, agreeableness, and machiavellianism contributed to SA performance. Although spatially-related interests were linked to SA, they were not significantly predicted by personality traits. Everyday spatial behaviour showed no relationship with personality traits or SA.
Conclusion: The study replicated patterns of gender differences in spatial ability, spatial interests, and personality reported in previous literature. The results showed differential links between personality traits and spatial ability for males and females. However, the overall amount of variance explained in spatial ability was very small, suggesting that other factors are more prominent sources of gender differences in spatial ability.
期刊介绍：
Established in 2008, the Russian Psychological Society''s Journal «Psychology in Russia: State of the Art» publishes original research on all aspects of general psychology including cognitive, clinical, developmental, social, neuropsychology, psychophysiology, psychology of labor and ergonomics, and methodology of psychological science. Journal''s list of authors comprises prominent scientists, practitioners and experts from leading Russian universities, research institutions, state ministries and private practice. Addressing current challenges of psychology, it also reviews developments in novel areas such as security, sport, and art psychology, as well as psychology of negotiations, cyberspace and virtual reality. The journal builds upon theoretical foundations laid by the works of Vygotsky, Luria and other Russian scientists whose works contributed to shaping the psychological science worldwide, and welcomes international submissions which make major contributions across the range of psychology, especially appreciating the ones conducted in the paradigm of the Russian psychological tradition. It enjoys a wide international readership and features reports of empirical studies, book reviews and theoretical contributions, which aim to further our understanding of psychology.
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