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Sex differences in brain size and general intelligence (g)

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  • van der Linden, Dimitri
  • Dunkel, Curtis S.
  • Madison, Guy

Abstract

Utilizing MRI and cognitive tests data from the Human Connectome project (N=900), sex differences in general intelligence (g) and molar brain characteristics were examined. Total brain volume, cortical surface area, and white and gray matter correlated 0.1–0.3 with g for both sexes, whereas cortical thickness and gray/white matter ratio showed less consistent associations with g. Males displayed higher scores on most of the brain characteristics, even after correcting for body size, and also scored approximately one fourth of a standard deviation higher on g. Mediation analyses and the Method of Correlated Vectors both indicated that the sex difference in g is mediated by general brain characteristics. Selecting a subsample of males and females who were matched on g further suggest that larger brains, on average, lead to higher g, whereas similar levels of g do not necessarily imply equal brain sizes.

Suggested Citation

  • van der Linden, Dimitri & Dunkel, Curtis S. & Madison, Guy, 2017. "Sex differences in brain size and general intelligence (g)," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 78-88.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intell:v:63:y:2017:i:c:p:78-88
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2017.04.007
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    1. P. Shaw & D. Greenstein & J. Lerch & L. Clasen & R. Lenroot & N. Gogtay & A. Evans & J. Rapoport & J. Giedd, 2006. "Intellectual ability and cortical development in children and adolescents," Nature, Nature, vol. 440(7084), pages 676-679, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Das, Sumit Kumar & Mishra, Udaya S. & Das, Milan & Das, Pritilata, 2022. "Perceptions of gender norms and sex-typed cognitive abilities among Indian adolescents – A study of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    2. Hilger, Kirsten & Spinath, Frank M. & Troche, Stefan & Schubert, Anna-Lena, 2022. "The biological basis of intelligence: Benchmark findings," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    3. Stoet, Gijsbert & Geary, David C., 2020. "Sex-specific academic ability and attitude patterns in students across developed countries," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    4. Dunkel, Curtis S. & Madison, Guy, 2022. "The possible role of field independence/dependence on developmental sex differences in general intelligence," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    5. Giofrè, D. & Cornoldi, C. & Martini, A. & Toffalini, E., 2020. "A population level analysis of the gender gap in mathematics: Results on over 13 million children using the INVALSI dataset," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

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