Gender differences in the development of semantic and spatial processing of numbers

Br J Dev Psychol. 2020 Sep;38(3):391-414. doi: 10.1111/bjdp.12329. Epub 2020 Mar 25.

Abstract

This study recruited kindergarteners and first graders to investigate gender and grade differences in semantic and spatial processing of number magnitude. Results based on the Bayesian statistics showed that (1) there was extreme evidence in favour of grade differences in both semantic processing and spatial processing; (2) there were no gender differences in semantic processing; and (3) boys developed earlier than girls in spatial processing of numbers, especially for the more difficult task. These results are discussed in terms of gender differences in cognitive mechanisms underlying semantic and spatial processing of number magnitude.

Keywords: developmental tendency; gender difference; number semantic processing; number spatial processing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Child
  • Child Development / physiology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mathematical Concepts*
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Semantics
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Spatial Processing / physiology