Sex differences in self-reported spatial abilities and affect: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

The present meta-analysis of 559 effect sizes examined sex differences in self-reported spatial abilities and affect, and their potential moderators. Results revealed a mean g of 0.498 (95% CI = 0.468 to 0.528), indicating that, on average, males tend to report better abilities and more positive affect toward spatial tasks than females. The moderating role of age in the overall sample showed that sex differences emerge during adolescence. Moderator analyses separately for each ability or affect dimension showed an effect of age similar to that in the overall sample for spatial anxiety scales. We discuss the implications of the results for a potential role of gender stereotype endorsement, sexual maturity, and experiential factors in self-reported spatial abilities and affect along with suggestions for future research.

KEYWORDS:

• Human sex differences
• spatial abilities
• self-report
• meta-analysis

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (grant number RGPIN 03635-2016) to D. Voyer. The authors are thankful to the many researchers who have sent us data to help make this meta-analysis more comprehensive.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The final set for the data used in the present meta-analysis along with a full reference list for the included studies can be found at https://osf.io/awgsf/?view_only=970674a49a3344d8b3cdf2773c83ee9e.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [RGPIN 03635-2016].