Sex Differences in Object Location Memory: Some Further Methodological Considerations

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Sex Differences in Object Location Memory: Some Further Methodological Considerations
Language: English
Authors: Gallagher, Peter, Neave, Nick, Hamilton, Colin
Source: Learning and Individual Differences. 2006 16(4):277-290.
Availability: Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2006
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Memory, Gender Differences, Recall (Psychology), Verbal Ability, Task Analysis, Research Methodology, Attention, Mnemonics, Performance
DOI: 10.1016/j.lindif.2006.12.007
ISSN: 1041-6080
Abstract: Previously it has been reported that female performance on the recall of objects and their locations in a spatial array is superior to that of males. This may reflect underlying information-processing biases whereby males organize information in a self-referential manner while females adopt a more comprehensive approach. The known female advantage in verbal memory may, however, account for this sex difference. In an initial experiment we found no overall sex differences in object or object-location memory. The inclusion of a verbal distracter task revealed gender-congruent biases in performance. A final study examined some methodological issues associated with the design of item arrays. After controlling for differences in item distinctiveness, performance on object-location was found to be substantially influenced by the distance that items were displaced in the array. These findings demonstrate that certain methodological factors can significantly affect the attentional and mnemonic processes that operate when performing tasks of this nature and can negate underlying sex differences in performance.
Abstractor: Author
Entry Date: 2007
Accession Number: EJ756108
Database: ERIC
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