Sex Similarities and Differences in Intelligence in Children Aged Two to Eight: Analysis of SON-R 2–8 Scores

Buczyłowska, Dorota; Ronniger, Pola; Melzer, Jessica; Petermann, Franz

doi:10.3390/jintelligence7020011

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…We did not systematically obtain information about neurological malformations at birth, which may differ by sex and be associated with reduced IQ. However, similar differences have previously been reported in 4-8-yearold children [6,26,27], which could be attributed to sex-specific differences in maturity and the ability to concentrate in children this age [27].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Prenatal and early childhood predictors of intelligence quotient (IQ) in 7-year-old Danish children from the Odense Child Cohort

Beck

Bilenberg

Davidsen

et al. 2022

Scand J Public Health

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Background: Cognitive development measured as intelligence quotient can predict socioeconomic markers in adulthood. It is therefore of interest to determine predictors of childhood intelligence quotient. Aim: To assess intelligence quotient scores based on standardised Danish age-appropriate scores and to evaluate potential predictors of intelligence quotient. Materials: At 7 years of age children in the Odense Child Cohort completed an abbreviated version of the Wechsler intelligence scale for children 5th edition consisting of four subtests (vocabulary, similarities, block design and matrix reasoning) from which the full scale intelligence quotient and verbal comprehension index were estimated. Potential predictors from pregnancy through childhood were collected from questionnaires, birth records and clinical examinations. Methods: Intelligence quotient scores were investigated through descriptive statistics and linear regression models. Results: The mean full scale intelligence quotient among 1375 children was 99.1 (95% confidence interval 98.5; 99.8) points. Higher full scale intelligence quotient scores were observed in girls 100.8 (95% confidence interval 100.0; 101.8) compared to boys 97.6 (96.7; 98.4), and in children of mothers with high and intermediate education 101.7 (100.4; 103.1) and 99.6 (98.7; 100.5), respectively, compared to low education 96.1 (94.9; 97.3). In linear regression analyses, longer maternal education and child sex (girls) remained strong predictors of intelligence quotient at age 7 years. In addition, paternal education, child head circumference and longer duration of breastfeeding were associated with higher intelligence quotient, whereas maternal overweight and obesity before pregnancy was associated with lower intelligence quotient. Conclusions: Mean intelligence quotient scores were comparable to the standardised mean intelligence quotient of 100 point of Danish peers. It is important to follow up these children to determine which predictors persist into adulthood.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Prenatal and early childhood predictors of intelligence quotient (IQ) in 7-year-old Danish children from the Odense Child Cohort

Beck

Bilenberg

Davidsen

et al. 2022

Scand J Public Health

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“…In the description of their method, however, Kane and Mertz clearly state that "most measures of mathematics performance here are based on the TIMSS, a quadrenial study that includes a mathematics assessment" of fourth and eighth graders from numerous countries [25, p. 11]. Kane and Mertz's conclusions are thus mostly based on tests of pre-and early-adolescent children, not adults, and it has been established that at those ages boys and girls follow different developmental trajectories in many traits such as school performance [7] and height [33].…”

Section: Flawed Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Fundamental Errors in Kane and Mertz's Alleged Debunking of Greater Male Variability in Mathematics Performance

Arden,

Hill

2021

Preprint

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Kane and Mertz's 2012 AMS Notices article "Debunking Myths about Gender and Mathematics Performance" claims to have debunked the greater male variability hypothesis with respect to mathematics abilities. The logical and statistical arguments supporting their claim, however, which are being widely cited in the scientific literature, contain fundamental errors. The methodology is critically flawed, the main logical premise is false, and the article omits reference to numerous published scientific research articles that contradict its findings. Most critically, Kane and Mertz's final conclusion that their data are inconsistent with the greater male variability hypothesis is wrong. The goal of the present note is to correct the scientific record with respect to those claims.

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“…Sex differences in cognition and behavior during early development are well documented. For example, females tend to perform better than males in measures of executive functioning [1,2], and intelligence [3,4] in toddler and preschool years. Previous studies suggest that sex differences in these cognitive processes may arise from changes in developmental trajectories [5,6] with females maturing earlier.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex differences in brain-behavior relationships in the first two years of life

Fenske,

Liu,

Chen

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: Evidence for sex differences in cognition in childhood is established, but less is known about the underlying neural mechanisms for these differences. Recent findings suggest the existence of brain-behavior relationship heterogeneities during infancy; however, it remains unclear whether sex underlies these heterogeneities during this critical period when sex-related behavioral differences arise. Methods: A sample of 316 infants was included with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans at neonate (3 weeks), 1, and 2 years of age. We used multiple linear regression to test interactions between sex and resting-state functional connectivity on behavioral scores of working memory, inhibitory self-control, intelligence, and anxiety collected at 4 years of age. Results: We found six age-specific, intra-hemispheric connections showing significant and robust sex differences in functional connectivity-behavior relationships. All connections are either with the prefrontal cortex or the temporal pole, which has direct anatomical pathways to the prefrontal cortex. Sex differences in functional connectivity only emerge when associated with behavior, and not in functional connectivity alone. Furthermore, at neonate and 2 years of age, these age-specific connections displayed greater connectivity in males and lower connectivity in females in association with better behavioral scores. Conclusions: Taken together, we critically capture robust and conserved brain mechanisms that are distinct to sex and are defined by their relationship to behavioral outcomes. Our results establish brain-behavior mechanisms as an important feature in the search for sex differences during development.

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Sex Similarities and Differences in Intelligence in Children Aged Two to Eight: Analysis of SON-R 2–8 Scores

Cited by 11 publications

References 49 publications

Prenatal and early childhood predictors of intelligence quotient (IQ) in 7-year-old Danish children from the Odense Child Cohort

Prenatal and early childhood predictors of intelligence quotient (IQ) in 7-year-old Danish children from the Odense Child Cohort

Fundamental Errors in Kane and Mertz's Alleged Debunking of Greater Male Variability in Mathematics Performance

Sex differences in brain-behavior relationships in the first two years of life

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