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Gender differences in ego level
1Psychology Department, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37044.
Psychological Reports
|June 1, 1993
Summary
This study found that college women scored higher on ego development than college men using the Washington Sentence Completion Test. This research highlights gender differences in psychological development during early adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Ego development is a key aspect of psychological maturation.
- Understanding gender differences in ego development can inform educational and psychological interventions.
- Previous research has explored ego development, but gender comparisons require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential gender differences in ego development among entering college students.
- To determine if women exhibit higher ego development scores compared to men.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 173 entering college students (110 women, 63 men) participated.
- Participants completed a 12-item short form of the Washington Sentence Completion Test.
- Statistical analysis using Cramer's Phi was employed to assess gender differences.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant gender difference in ego level scores was observed.
- Women consistently achieved higher ego development scores than men in this sample.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that women may be at a more advanced stage of ego development upon entering college compared to men.
- These results underscore the importance of considering gender in the study of psychological development in emerging adults.