Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
07:01
Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
8.5K
Gender differences in SCRABBLE performance and associated engagement in purposeful practice activities
Jerad H Moxley1,2, K Anders Ericsson3, Michael Tuffiash3
1University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA. jhm125@med.miami.edu.
Psychological Research
|September 2, 2017
Summary
Males outperform females in SCRABBLE due to differences in practice. Females engage less in purposeful practice and prefer playing games, which doesn't boost skill as much.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Skill Acquisition
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Gender disparities in cognitive skill performance are well-documented.
- Understanding the factors influencing skill acquisition is crucial for addressing these differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors contributing to gender differences in SCRABBLE skill.
- To analyze the role of practice activities and engagement in skill development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of SCRABBLE skill in male and female participants at the National SCRABBLE Championship.
- Collection of data on participants' practice habits, starting age, and game preferences.
Main Results:
- Over half of SCRABBLE performance variance was explained by starting age and practice type.
- Gender differences in performance were mediated by lower purposeful practice engagement in females.
- Females' preference for playing games, an activity with less skill-enhancing engagement, contributed to the performance gap.
Conclusions:
- Gender differences in SCRABBLE skill are not inherent but are influenced by specific practice behaviors.
- Targeted interventions promoting purposeful practice may help reduce gender disparities in skill acquisition.
Related Concept Videos
01:04Social Facilitation
36.7K
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
36.7K
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
348
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
348
01:24Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game
247
The development of self in children is deeply rooted in social interactions, mainly through stages of play and structured games. These stages, outlined by sociologist George Herbert Mead, illustrate how children progressively learn to understand and adopt social roles, forming a cohesive sense of self.The Play Stage: Imitation and Simple Role-TakingIn the early years of childhood, the play stage is characterized by imitative behavior, where children engage in role-playing based on familiar...
247
01:27Language and Cognition
865
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
865
02:12Relationship Formation
46.3K
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
46.3K