Psychology of Computer Use: II. Sex Differences in Prediction of Course Grades in a Computer Language Course

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of sex, computer aptitude, computer attitudes, computer experience, mathematics aptitude, and mathematics experience on the prediction of course grades in a computer language course. The sample consisted of 119 women and 73 men who completed an assembly-language programming course at a midwestern state university. While men in general had higher mathematics aptitude and computer aptitude, women received higher course grades in the computer language course. Students who failed the course were significantly lower in computer aptitude, computer experience, mathematics aptitude, mathematics experience, and high school GPA. A discriminant analysis for the total sample correctly classified passing and failing students at 81.1% accuracy rate. A short test of computer aptitude significantly added to high school grades and mathematics experience in a regression analysis of course grades. Computer attitudes were not related to course grades.