Effect of visual detail on scene recognition: some unexpected sex differences

30 adults received two learning trials on which they viewed computer images of urban scenes followed by a recognition test to assess the effect of visual detail on scene recognition. The scenes were shown in either high detail (photographic) or reduced detail. Analysis showed no main effect of detail on scene recognition; however, analysis of the interaction for sex x detail indicated that women recognized significantly more scenes in the photographic condition than in the two with reduced detail. Men showed no differences. The unexpected sex differences suggest the relevance of subjects' strategies during visual processing.