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Sex differences in primary process thinking and flexibility in problem-solving in children.

S W Russ1

  • 1Dept. of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.

Journal of Personality Assessment
|December 1, 1982
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Primary process thinking, measured by the Rorschach test, positively correlates with problem-solving flexibility in boys. This relationship persists even when controlling for IQ, but not for girls.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Psychodynamic theory suggests a link between primary process thinking and cognitive flexibility.
  • Primary process thinking involves primitive, associative thought patterns.
  • Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt problem-solving strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between primary process thinking and problem-solving flexibility in children.
  • To test the hypothesis that greater primary process integration predicts enhanced strategy-shifting ability.
  • To explore potential sex differences in this relationship.

Main Methods:

  • The Rorschach test (Holt's scoring system) was used to assess primary process integration.

Related Experiment Videos

  • The Luchins' water-jar test measured problem-solving strategy flexibility.
  • The study involved two samples of third-grade children, with individual test administration.

    • Main Results:

    • A significant positive relationship was found between Adaptive Regression (primary process) scores and problem-solving flexibility in boys (r = .64).
    • This association remained significant for boys after controlling for IQ (r = .59).
    • No significant relationship was observed for girls (r = .02), and girls showed less primary process material overall. Primary process integration also correlated with achievement scores, independent of IQ.

    Conclusions:

    • Primary process thinking is linked to cognitive flexibility in boys, supporting psychodynamic hypotheses.
    • Significant sex differences exist in the manifestation and cognitive correlates of primary process thinking.
    • Findings suggest primary process integration may also relate to academic achievement beyond general intelligence.