Sex differences in ability tilt: Support for investment theory

• Published in: Intelligence (Norwood) Vol. 50; pp. 209 - 220
• Main Authors: Coyle, Thomas R., Snyder, Anissa C., Richmond, Miranda C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Inc 01-05-2015; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Ability tilt; Cognitive ability; College majors; Gender differences; General intelligence (g); Humanities; Intelligence tests; Investment theories; Occupations; STEM education; College majors; Investment theories; General intelligence (g); Ability tilt; Occupations
• ISSN: 0160-2896; 1873-7935
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.012

This research examined sex differences in ability tilt, defined as within-subject differences in math and verbal scores on three tests (SAT, ACT, PSAT). These differences produced math tilt (math>verbal) and verbal tilt (verbal>math). Both types of tilt were correlated with specific abilities (e.g., verbal and math), based on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Tilt was also correlated with college majors in STEM (e.g., science and math) and the humanities (e.g., English and history), and with jobs in STEM and other occupations. Males showed math tilt and STEM preferences, whereas females showed verbal tilt and humanities preferences. For males and females, math tilt predicted math ability and STEM criteria (majors and jobs), and verbal tilt predicted verbal ability and verbal criteria. Tilt scores correlated negatively with competing abilities (e.g., math tilt and verbal ability). The results supported investment theories, which assume that investment in a specific ability boosts similar abilities but retards competing abilities. In addition, the results bolster the validity of tilt, which was unrelated to g but still predicted specific abilities, college majors, and jobs.
•Ability tilt measured within-subject differences in math and verbal test scores.•Males showed math tilt (math>verbal) and STEM preferences (college majors and jobs).•Females showed verbal tilt (verbal>math) and humanities preferences.•For both sexes, math tilt predicted math ability and verbal tilt predicted verbal ability.•Results supported investment theories of intelligence.