Sex differences in clerical speed: Perceptual encoding vs. verbal encoding

Most interpretations of sex differences on clerical speed tests have emphasized the role of rapid perception of details and shifts in attention. Some have emphasized comparison and decision processes. Sex differences in speeded, successive matching were studied in four experiments with college students. The experimental task involved the successive identification of stimulus items presented in lists by tapping matching items on response cards. Sex differences were found to be related to response-card content and not to stimulus-list content. When the identification response involved tapping words, colors, or directional symbols, females were significantly faster than males; however, when the identification response involved tapping shapes, no significant sex differences were found. Results indicated that sex differences in some aspect of short-term memory may also be involved. Earlier interpretations of sex differences on speeded matching tasks in terms of such global concepts as perceptual speed are believed to be inadequate. An alternative explanation is discussed emphasizing verbal encoding, memory, and evaluation processes.