Gender differences in non verbal reasoning skills

ABSTRACT

The objective of present study is to investigate the difference between the male and female adolescents on a test ofnon verbal abstract reasoning skills, specifically with reference to age, that is in adolescents of age ranges 12 to 14 years, and in adolescents with age ranges between 15 to 18 years. In the present study 402 adolescent students participated, with age in the range of 12 to 18 years. Among these 402 students 230 were males while 172 were females. Data was obtained with the permission of the authorities from various educational institutes of Rawalpindi and Lahore city. Demographic information was obtained followed by administration of Standard Progressive Matrices, a test ofnon verbal reasoning. Data was analyzed for gender differences by use oft test on .05 level of significance. Results reflect non significant gender differences on non verbal reasoning skills, however, for while distributing data in two groups that is adolescents aged 12 to 14 years, and adolescents aged 15 to 18 years, the difference in the first group was in favor of females, yet not significant. While for the later age group the difference was significant and is in favor of males. The gender differences in non verbal reasoning abilities are subjected to age. Further research considering more age ranges will be more conclusive