The role of sex hormones and of 2D:4D ratio in individual differences in cognitive abilities

The present study aimed at investigating the role of sex hormones in individual differences in cognitive abilities. This was achieved by a combination of two methods, reflecting 2 critical periods of hormonal secretion: prenatal, based on the 2D:4D ratio, and postnatal, based on circulating hormone...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of cognitive psychology (Hove, England) Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 497 - 507
Main Authors Barel, Efrat, Tzischinsky, Orna
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Hove Routledge 19.05.2017
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
2D:4D
cognitive abilities
sex differences
Sex hormones
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Summary:The present study aimed at investigating the role of sex hormones in individual differences in cognitive abilities. This was achieved by a combination of two methods, reflecting 2 critical periods of hormonal secretion: prenatal, based on the 2D:4D ratio, and postnatal, based on circulating hormone levels. Both methods were tested in 39 men and 41 women, who completed a battery of 6 cognitive tasks. Results showed significant sex differences on the mental rotation task, with men outperforming women. A positive correlation was found between testosterone and performance on the mental rotation task for the combined sample (men and women). A significant interaction was found between sex and estrogen on mental rotation task. Findings also revealed a significant interaction between sex and right hand 2D:4D ratio on different memory tasks. Findings regarding between- and within-sex differences in cognition are discussed in light of the organisational and activational effects of sex hormones.
ISSN:2044-5911
2044-592X
DOI:10.1080/20445911.2017.1279166