#gender-differences — Public Fediverse posts

DATE: May 14, 2026 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

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TITLE: Women score higher than men on fluid intelligence tests when allowed to express uncertainty

URL: https://www.psypost.org/updating-the-multiple-choice-test-reveals-a-hidden-cognitive-advantage-in-women/

Traditional tests of intelligence and literacy may be fundamentally flawed because they force test-takers to choose a single answer rather than allowing them to express their level of confidence in different options. When people are given financial incentives and allowed to distribute their answers based on how sure they are, women actually score higher than men. The research was published in the Journal of Political Economy.

For decades, psychologists and economists have measured cognitive ability using multiple-choice tests. These assessments score responses as strictly right or wrong. Glenn W. Harrison of Georgia State University, Don Ross of University College Cork, and J. Todd Swarthout of Georgia State University suspected this format misses a vital component of human cognition. Knowing how strongly to believe in an answer is a skill in itself.

The researchers note that the standard format forces people to mask their thought processes. If someone is somewhat confident in an answer but still perceives some risk of being wrong, the rigid format does not capture that nuance. The test format demands absolute certainty even when a person possesses healthy skepticism.

To address this, the team examined the Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices test. This assessment presents a grid of shapes with one missing piece and asks the test-taker to identify the pattern. It is widely used to measure fluid intelligence, which is the ability to solve new logic problems without relying on prior knowledge.

The researchers wrote that, “The measurement of intelligence should identify and measure an individual’s subjective confidence that a response to a test question is correct.” They noted that existing tests completely fail to achieve this goal.

The standard version of this puzzle allows test-takers unlimited time and offers no financial motivation. The researchers created a computerized version that offered monetary rewards for correct answers. They divided participants into different groups to test how the structure of the task changed their performance.

In the baseline group, participants took a traditional version for a flat fee of five dollars. In another group, participants were paid based on their accuracy but were still forced to pick just one answer. A third group experienced a radically different test structure.

These participants were given eighty digital tokens to allocate across eight possible answers. If they were completely sure, they could place all eighty tokens on a single choice for a maximum reward of two dollars per puzzle. If they were unsure, they could spread their tokens out over multiple likely answers to guarantee a smaller payout.

This token system measures what the researchers refer to as confidence. In this context, confidence does not mean optimism. It refers to the precision of a person’s belief. A person who places ten tokens on every single answer is safely guarding against risk because they have no idea which shape is correct.

When financial incentives were combined with the ability to express varying degrees of confidence, the results shifted dramatically. In the traditional format, female participants scored lower than male participants. When participants could assign tokens based on their confidence, women outperformed men.

The data showed that female participants were better at calculating the risk of their answers and distributing their tokens efficiently. Knowing when you are unsure is a core part of cognition. The researchers consider this risk assessment to be a fundamental element of fluid intelligence.

The researchers also altered the order of the puzzles. The standard test starts with easy puzzles and gradually progresses to difficult ones. The researchers call this sequence a structured progression, meaning it is an environmental clue that helps a person think.

When the researchers scrambled the order of the puzzles so that difficulty varied randomly, overall performance dropped. The gap in performance between the group forced to pick one answer and the group allowed to use tokens widened even further. This confirmed that the ability to express uncertainty is a distinct cognitive advantage when facing unpredictable problems.

This discovery regarding gender prompted the researchers to revisit other areas where men possess a supposed advantage. They looked at studies regarding competitiveness. Past behavioral studies suggest that women back away from competitive environments, such as workplace tournaments, in favor of flat payment schedules.

The researchers recreated these experiments using the token system and discovered that women were making the mathematically correct risk management choices. Participants had to solve logic problems under a time limit, choosing either a guaranteed payment per correct answer or a tournament style where only the top performer received a large payout.

Men tended to choose the competitive tournament even when it resulted in a monetary loss for them. Men proved to be overly optimistic about their chances of winning. Women evaluated the risk accurately and chose the safer compensation structure, which resulted in better financial outcomes.

The team also looked at financial literacy tests. Standard surveys report that women choose the “do not know” option much more often than men when asked financial questions. This has led to the assumption that women possess lower financial literacy.

The researchers presented participants with a standard question about calculating purchasing power based on interest and inflation rates. When the researchers allowed subjects to use tokens to answer the question, they found that women were just more open about their lack of complete certainty. The bias in their actual knowledge was tiny and not statistically significant.

Many women distributed their tokens broadly, meaning they were aware that they lacked the exact knowledge and guarded their bets accordingly. This behavior signals an intellectual awareness of uncertainty. Someone who knows they are guessing is more likely to seek out a financial advisor or a textbook to learn the correct answer.

Individuals who place all their tokens on a highly incorrect answer represent a much larger danger. The researchers noted that these individuals are completely confident in their incorrect knowledge. These are the people most likely to make catastrophic financial decisions without consulting outside help.

The authors specify that their findings on motivation might involve variables that are difficult to isolate. Participants might bring personal motivations into the laboratory that interact with the monetary incentives offered by the experimenters.

Future studies could attempt to separate these personal drives from the financial rewards to see how they impact token distribution. The research team also plans to further investigate data suggesting that Black participants similarly perform drastically better when allowed to express their confidence through the token system.

The study, “Gender, Confidence, and the Mismeasure of Intelligence, Competitiveness, and Literacy,” was authored by Glenn W. Harrison, Don Ross, and J. Todd Swarthout.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/updating-the-multiple-choice-test-reveals-a-hidden-cognitive-advantage-in-women/

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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #FluidIntelligence #ConfidenceInAssessment #TokenBasedTesting #GenderDifferences #RiskAssessment #UncertaintyExpression #CognitiveMeasurement #EconomicIncentives #FinancialLiteracy #RavenMatrices

There are differences in the anatomy of men and women, and medical procedures are often designed for male anatomy.

https://theconversation.com/routine-medical-procedures-can-feel-harder-for-women-heres-why-274041

#medicine #genderDifferences #WomensHealth

Sex Drive: 5 Surprising Facts from a 67k Person Study

What really drives sexual desire? We often rely on a handful of common assumptions about age, gender, and relationships to answer this question. But what happens when we peel back the layers and look at the science behind sex drive?

A groundbreaking study from the Estonian Biobank provides some of the clearest answers to date, challenging much of our conventional wisdom.

By analyzing data from over 67,000 participants (N = 67,334), researchers uncovered a complex tapestry of unseen forces shaping who wants sex and why. This article shares the most counter-intuitive findings from this massive study that are changing our understanding of human libido.

The Gender Gap in Desire is Wider and More Persistent Than we Thought

The first force this study brings into sharp focus is gender.

While it’s no secret that men, on average, report higher sex drive than women, this research revealed the difference to be exceptionally large and consistent across the lifespan.

In fact, the effect size found was even larger than those documented in previous large-scale meta-analyses. η² = 0.18, a large effect size indicating that gender alone explained a substantial 18% of the difference in desire.

This robust finding underscores just how profound and persistent the influence of gender is on libido. The study’s authors highlight the sheer magnitude of this difference across different life stages:

“Even the peak of average woman’s sexual desire at ages around 20 to 30 remains lower than men’s average levels across much of adulthood. It is only after the age of 60 + that men’s declining sexual desire falls below the highest levels ever reported by women.”

Furthermore, the research showed that this gap in desire actually widens with age, reaching its peak in the 60+ age group.

Men’s Sex Drive Peaks Surprisingly Late

We’re often told that a man’s sex drive is like a rocket. Supposedly peaking in his late teens and slowly coming down.

This study, however, suggests it’s more of a long climb to a high plateau.

Contrary to popular belief, men’s sexual desire actually peaked around their late 30s to early 40s. This finding was particularly surprising because it runs counter to what we know about male biology.

The researchers noted the unexpected nature of this pattern:

“A noteworthy finding was that men’s sexual desire peaked around the age of 40, exceeding even early adulthood levels… This pattern is surprising because it does not align with the well-documented trajectory of testosterone decline…”

This suggests that factors beyond simple biology are at play.

The researchers propose that men in this age group “are more likely to be in stable long-term relationships, which have been associated with increased sexual activity and emotional intimacy.”

In another fascinating hypothesis, they suggest that as men get older, their “levels of desire may be starting to adapt to their partner’s declining levels of desire,” which could help explain the drop-off in later life.

Licensed Professional Counselors, do you need continuing education hours?

Look no further!

If you find this article interesting, Dr. Weeks’ course Sexual Education and Porn Use in Women, and her other unique courses, will engage and educate!

Parenthood Affects Men and Women’s Desire in Opposite Ways

One of the most fascinating unseen forces revealed by the study was how parenthood impacts libido differently for men and women.

For men, having more children was consistently associated with higher sexual desire. This effect grew stronger with each additional child, with the largest positive association found in fathers with five children. β = 0.43, indicating a strong positive association between fatherhood of five children and higher desire compared to mothers.

This stands in stark contrast to the experience of women, where the demands of parenthood are frequently linked to a decline in desire. A trend also suggested by the study’s data.

The researchers speculate that this opposing effect may reflect:

“…gendered differences in parental roles, stress levels, time availability, and energy investment within a family.”

They also offer a thought-provoking alternative explanation: it’s possible that “higher levels of desire may contribute to men having more children” in the first place, showing the complex relationship between cause and effect.

Single People May Actually Have a Higher Sex Drive

It’s often assumed that being in a committed relationship is the key to a healthy sex drive.

At first glance, the data seemed to support this, showing that partnered people had slightly higher desire on average. But when the researchers used a more powerful statistical lens, controlling for factors like age and gender, the picture flipped.

Partnered individuals actually reported lower sexual desire compared to their single counterparts. β = −0.10, a small but statistically significant effect suggesting that, all else being equal, being in a relationship was linked to a slight decrease in desire.

This surprising result challenges the idea that a relationship automatically sustains high desire. The study’s authors suggest this could be related to habituation in long-term partnerships, a phenomenon that “particularly for women, points to the potential for habituation and shifts in relational dynamics over time.”

In other words, the comfort of a long-term relationship may sometimes come at the expense of novelty.

Are you a professional looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on, sex addiction, trauma, and mental health news and research? Or maybe you’re looking for continuing education courses?

Stay up-to-date with all of Dr. Jen’s work through her practice’s newsletter!

Your Career Choice Could Be Linked to Your Libido

In perhaps the most novel finding, the study uncovered a remarkable link between a person’s occupation and their level of sexual desire. Simple averages suggested that people in manual-labor and military jobs had the highest libido, but the researchers quickly noted this was likely because those fields are dominated by younger men.

The real story emerged after controlling for factors like age and gender. The study then compared all occupations to a baseline group: senior managers. The results were clear:

• Lower Desire Occupations (Compared to Senior Managers): After accounting for other factors, nearly every other occupation was linked to significantly lower sexual desire. This effect was especially strong for elementary workers (β = -0.27), skilled workers and craftsmen (β = -0.19), and office and customer service workers (β = -0.16).

This highlights the often-overlooked connection between our professional lives, daily stress, and our personal well-being. It suggests that the pressures and routines of our jobs can be a powerful, hidden influence on our libido.

Conclusion: Rethinking What We Know About Sex Drive

This research paints a new picture where desire isn’t just a biological switch. It’s a dynamic outcome of a person’s age, gender, parental role, relationship status, and even their career.

The fact that these demographic and life factors alone could explain nearly 30% of the variance in sexual desire underscores just how profoundly they shape this fundamental human experience.

As we learn more about the complex web of factors that shape our desires, how might we change the conversations we have about sexuality in our own relationships?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.

For an in-depth guide on talking to your adolescents about cybersex and pornography, check out Dr. Jen’s book. Amazon | BookBaby

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.

Are you looking for more reputable data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

Explore the fascinating differences in memory between men and women! We delve into why women remember stories more vividly while men struggle with recall. Discover the humor and insights in this engaging comparison of memory skills. #MemoryGames #MemorySkills #GenderDifferences #WomensMemory #MensMemory #CognitivePsychology #BrainFacts #MemoryComparison #RecallAbility #FunnyMoments #MindGames

Hot off the press - our report on gender disparities in grant seeking at the University of Cambridge (who applies for and who gets research grant funding).

https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/publications/improving-inclusivity-in-grant-funding-initial-gender-analysis/

The story:
1) The structural disparities are big (not so surprising)
2) The patterns of disparity at particular grades in particular disciplines go both ways (more surprising)

#ResearchPolicy
#ResearchGrants
#GenderDifferences
#Bayesian

If you like graphs, you'll probably like it!

#RandomCambridgeWindowPicture

Middle-aged men use more dating apps, and for longer, than women https://www.psypost.org/middle-aged-men-use-more-dating-apps-and-for-longer-than-women/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #DatingApps #MiddleAgedMen #DatingTrends #HeterosexualDating #GenderDifferences

Eye-tracking study reveals where women and men look when viewing a female butt https://www.psypost.org/eye-tracking-study-reveals-where-women-and-men-look-when-viewing-a-female-butt/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #EyeTracking #GenderDifferences #ResearchStudy #HumanBehavior #VisualAttention

Men exhibit stronger sunk cost bias than women when mating motives are activated https://www.psypost.org/men-exhibit-stronger-sunk-cost-bias-than-women-when-mating-motives-are-activated/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #SunkCostBias #MatingPsychology #GenderDifferences #RomanticCues #InvestmentBehavior

New research sheds light on how men and women differ in concerns about sexual addiction https://www.psypost.org/new-research-sheds-light-on-how-men-and-women-differ-in-concerns-about-sexual-addiction/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #SexualAddiction #MentalHealth #GenderDifferences #CompulsiveBehavior #SexualHealth

Are women better at forecasting relationship outcomes? New study provides intriguing insights https://www.psypost.org/are-women-better-at-forecasting-relationship-outcomes-new-study-provides-intriguing-insights/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #WomenInScience #RelationshipGoals #GenderDifferences #NewStudy #ResearchInsights

After exposure to anesthetics, females regain consciousness and cognition faster than males https://www.psypost.org/after-exposure-to-anesthetics-females-regain-consciousness-and-cognition-faster-than-males/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #FemaleBrain #Anesthetics #Consciousness #Cognition #GenderDifferences

New research: Married men age more gracefully — but for women, it’s complicated https://www.psypost.org/new-research-married-men-age-more-gracefully-but-for-women-its-complicated/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #MarriageAging #SuccessfulAging #GenderDifferences #MarriedMen #AgingGracefully

Researchers discover surprising gender gap in online reviews on “a gigantic scale” https://www.psypost.org/researchers-discover-surprising-gender-gap-in-online-reviews-on-a-gigantic-scale/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #GenderGap #OnlineReviews #Research #Study #GenderDifferences

Men Really Do Eat More Meat Than Women, Study Says 🍔🥩

When given the choice, men tend to eat more meat while women eat less, researchers say. 🧑‍🔬

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bc-climate-men-eating-meat_l_666b7328e4b082cfb5d9bebe

#MeatEating #DietChoices #GenderDifferences #FoodStudy #ScienceFindings

Songs that are about #science are great - like this one about gender differences in spatial navigation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5_HhqcbF_0

#GenderDifferences #SpatialNavigation #Psychostick

@draliceevans @AngieMaxwell This is super interesting, Alice. Which survey is it? #sexism #discrimination #genderDifferences #ModernSexism... Remember to use #hashtags so people can find you by topic, Alice.. 😄