Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Spearman's "g" Factor and a Measure of Executive Cognitive Function
Author(s): Jean-Marc Assaad, Robert O. Pihl, Frank Vitaro, Richard E. Tremblay
Abstract: A growing body of evidence suggests that executive cognitive functions (ECF), putatively reflecting abilities traditionally associated with the prefrontal cortex, may be related to Spearman's ‘g’ factor. Although some studies suggest that no gender differences exist in ‘g’ or ECF, gender differences in the relationship between ‘g’ and ECF have yet to be investigated. Thirty eight boys and thirty nine girls (mean age of 13.4 years) completed the Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM), as a measure of ‘g’, and the Spatial Conditional Associative-Learning Task (SCALT), as a measure of abilities associated with ECF. Results indicated no significant gender differences in scores on the RPM and SCALT. A significant association was found between scores on the RPM and the SCALT for the combined male and female sample. However, gender differences were found in this association, as RPM was significantly associated with SCALT only with boys, and not with girls. These results are in agreement with other findings suggesting no gender differences in ‘g’ or ECF, and that g may be a reflection of ECF. In addition, these results suggest that although no gender differences may be found in ‘g’ or ECF, it is important to consider gender differences in their interrelationship.
Pages: 152-160
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