The magnitude of sex differences in verbal episodic memory increases with social progress: Data from 54 countries across 40 years.

Martin Asperholm,Serhiy Dekhtyar,Agneta Herlitz,Sanket Nagar

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0214945

Martin Asperholm, Serhiy Dekhtyar + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214945

Copy DOI

Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Apr 22, 2019
Citations: 35	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Monash University

Abstract

Sex differences in episodic memory have been reported. We investigate (1) the existence of sex differences in verbal and other episodic memory tasks in 54 countries, and (2) the association between the time- and country-specific social progress indicators (a) female to male ratio in education and labor force participation, (b) population education and employment, and (c) GDP per capita, and magnitude of sex differences in verbal episodic memory tasks. Data were retrieved from 612 studies, published 1973–2013. Results showed that females outperformed (Cohen’s d > 0) males in verbal (42 out of 45 countries) and other (28 out of 45 countries) episodic memory tasks. Although all three social progress indicators were, separately, positively associated with the female advantage in verbal episodic memory performance, only population education and employment remained significant when considering the social indicators together. Results suggest that women’s verbal episodic memory performance benefits more than men’s from education and employment.

Highlights

Becker et al, 2005 Beinhoff et al, 2008 Bellace et al, 2013 Bender et al, 2010 Bengner et al, 2006 Bernardet et al, 2011 Beydoun et al, 2013 Bielak et al, 2012 Birenbaum et al, 1994 Blankevoort et al, 2013 Bleecker et al, 1988 Block et al, 2009 Bloise & Johnson, 2007 Boeke et al, 2012 Boeuf-Cazou et al, 2011 Boman, 2004 Borges & Vaughn, 1977 Börsch-Supan, 2016c Börsch-Supan, 2016b Börsch-Supan, 2016a Börsch-Supan, 2016d Börsch-Supan, 2016b Börsch-Supan, 2016c Börsch-Supan, 2016a Börsch-Supan, 2016d Börsch-Supan, 2016b Börsch-Supan, 2016d Börsch-Supan, 2016c Börsch-Supan, 2016d Börsch-Supan, 2016a Börsch-Supan, 2016c
Studies included in the database with country of study, effect size d of Verbal and Other episodic memory tasks, total number of males/females participating in the study, together with country- and time-specific measures indicative of gender equality in educational and occupational opportunities, population education level and labor force participation, and GDP per capita
Explanation of headings: Country = Country of study; d = Cohen’s d and variance of categories Verbal and Other episodic memory tasks; N Males/Females = The total number of males/females participating in the study; Gender equality = A country- and time-specific measure indicative of gender equality in educational and occupational opportunities; Population Education Employment = A country- and time-specific measure indicative of education level and labor force participation; GDP per Capita = A country- and time-specific measure of economic activity in relation to the size of the population

Summary

Introduction

2005 Beinhoff et al, 2008 Bellace et al, 2013 Bender et al, 2010 Bengner et al, 2006 Bernardet et al, 2011 Beydoun et al, 2013 Bielak et al, 2012 Birenbaum et al, 1994 Blankevoort et al, 2013 Bleecker et al, 1988 Block et al, 2009 Bloise & Johnson, 2007 Boeke et al, 2012 Boeuf-Cazou et al, 2011 Boman, 2004 Borges & Vaughn, 1977 Börsch-Supan, 2016c Börsch-Supan, 2016b Börsch-Supan, 2016a Börsch-Supan, 2016d Börsch-Supan, 2016b Börsch-Supan, 2016c Börsch-Supan, 2016a Börsch-Supan, 2016d Börsch-Supan, 2016b Börsch-Supan, 2016d Börsch-Supan, 2016c Börsch-Supan, 2016d Börsch-Supan, 2016a Börsch-Supan, 2016c.

Results

Conclusion