Are sex differences in self‐estimated intelligence an elusive phenomenon? Exploring the role of working memory, creativity, and other psychological correlates in young and older adults

Abstract

Background:Although there is research examining the demographic predictors of self-estimated intelligence (SEI) in young adults, so far SEI in old age is little investigated. This study aims to examine the influence of additional variables such as self-estimated emotional intelligence (SEEQ), physical attractiveness, health, general optimism, religiousness, and working memory (WM) on SEI both in young and older adults.Methods: A total of 159 young (90 women, M age = 28.77, SD = 8.83) and 152 older adults (93 women, M age = 71.92, SD = 6.84) completed a measure of SEI as well as questions regarding the abovementioned variables. Given that WM is considered a very strong predictor of intelligence, neuropsychological assessment included the measurement of WM and phonologically cued semantic retrieval-verbal storage and processing in WM, as assessed by the Digit Span Forward and Verbal Fluency Task. The visual storage in WM was assessed with a variation of the Visual Patterns Test, and the visual storage and processing in WM with the Corsi blocks task (backward). Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-X) was also administered as a possible influence on cognitive performance and SEI.Results: Young males rated their intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional quotient (EQ) higher than young females. This was not confirmed for older adults, for which surprisingly the reversed pattern was found. Older women reported higher IQ and EQ than older men. Correlations showed for all participants that the higher they rated their IQ, the higher their ratings of EQ, physical attractiveness, health, and religiousness. No significant correlations between objective tests regarding WM and SEI were found, supporting SEI overestimations. Age, sex, physical attractiveness, and SEEQ were significant predictors of SEI. Discussion: For the first time, a reverse sex difference across age groups in SEI is found.Implications for individuals and healthcare professionals involved in assessment are suggested.

Insights into Sex and Gender Differences in Brain and Psychopathologies Using Big Data

“…Non-binary SG-related factors, such as age, education, socioeconomic status, self-esteem, sexual identity, and orientation, might explain individual differences better than sex or gender [ 54 , 55 ]. SG should, therefore, be considered as an imperfect proxy of a combination of yet-unknown biological and psycho-social factors underlying SG differences [ 56 ].…”

“…For example, a new study found that younger males reported higher self-estimated intelligence than females, and this pattern was reversed in older age. Furthermore, self-estimated intelligence could be significantly predicted by age, sex, physical attractiveness, and self-estimated emotional intelligence [ 55 ].…”

Optimism As A Resource And Form Of Manifesting Positive Affectiveness In The Elderly And Young Adults Pre-Pandemic Vs Pandemic – Comparative Study

“…Moreover, its importance is recognized in the adoption of desirable behaviors in terms of health-related lifestyle, influence on physical and mental well-being, adaptive behaviors and even recovery in acute conditions and the evolution of the disease in the case of chronic conditions (Curis et al, 2018;de Moliere & Harris, 2016;Häfner, 2013;Harris, 2017;Harris et al, 2017;Lench, 2009). For this reason, it is important to study the concept of optimism and equally to quantify the interest shown by the scientific world in this direction, there being objective evidence in this sense (Boileau et al, 2021;Giannouli, 2023;Kim et al, 2023;Milhabet & Verlhiac, 2011;Schnall, 2017;Schneider, 2001).…”