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Article

Sex-related differences in attention and memory

by
Rima Solianik
*,
Marius Brazaitis
and
Albertas Skurvydas
Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Medicina 2016, 52(6), 372-377; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2016.11.007
Submission received: 6 October 2016 / Accepted: 16 November 2016 / Published: 25 November 2016

Abstract

Background and objectives: The sex differences and similarities in cognitive abilities is a continuing topic of major interest. Besides, the influences of trends over time and possible effects of sex steroid and assessment time on cognition have expanded the necessity to reevaluate differences between men and women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare cognitive performance between men and women in a strongly controlled experiment.
Materials and methods: In total, 28 men and 25 women were investigated. Variables of body temperature and heart rate were assessed. A cognitive test battery was used to assess attention (visual search, unpredictable task switching as well as complex visual search and predictable task switching tests) and memory (forced visual memory, forward digit span and free recall test).
Results: The differences in heart rate and body temperatures between men and women were not significant. There were no differences in the mean values of attention and memory abilities between men and women. Coefficients of variation of unpredictable task switching response and forward digit span were lower (P < 0.05) in men. Coefficients of variation positively correlated (P < 0.05) with attention task incorrect response and negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with correct answers in the memory task.
Conclusions: Current study showed no sex differences in the mean values of cognition, whereas higher intra-individual variability of short-term memory and attention switching was identified in women, indicating that their performance was lower on these cognitive abilities.
Keywords: Cognition; Attention; Gender; Intra-individual variability Cognition; Attention; Gender; Intra-individual variability

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MDPI and ACS Style

Solianik, R.; Brazaitis, M.; Skurvydas, A. Sex-related differences in attention and memory. Medicina 2016, 52, 372-377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2016.11.007

AMA Style

Solianik R, Brazaitis M, Skurvydas A. Sex-related differences in attention and memory. Medicina. 2016; 52(6):372-377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2016.11.007

Chicago/Turabian Style

Solianik, Rima, Marius Brazaitis, and Albertas Skurvydas. 2016. "Sex-related differences in attention and memory" Medicina 52, no. 6: 372-377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2016.11.007

APA Style

Solianik, R., Brazaitis, M., & Skurvydas, A. (2016). Sex-related differences in attention and memory. Medicina, 52(6), 372-377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2016.11.007

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