Science has long been interested in the question of whether the intellectual abilities of men and women differ. To date, we can speak more or less confidently about differences in only two areas. Women are consistently superior to men in speech ability. They learn language more quickly in childhood, they know and use more words, and they express their thoughts more easily. In turn, men have better spatial reasoning. They navigate the terrain more easily, create and modify models of objects, estimate the size and position of objects. Men dominate in professional fields where spatial thinking is required: in natural sciences, architecture, engineering, surgery, finance, aviation and so on (men own more than ¾ of jobs there). The superiority of men over women in mathematics is also related to spatial thinking.
The gap between the sexes is not only determined by hormones and brain structure. Our minds are malleable and subject to training. What games a person plays as a child and what activities he prefers in adulthood affect his intellectual abilities.
Scientists have long noticed that traditional boys’ games and “male” hobbies develop spatial thinking more than “female” activities.
In particular, the gap between the sexes can deepen video games. We are talking about racing and action games: primarily shooters. These genres are particularly liked by men. At the same time they are ideal for training selectivity and distribution of attention, accuracy of perception, mental rotation and other components of spatial thinking.
VIDEO GAMES – BRAIN TRAINER
Action games are characterized by a high pace and a large number of events per unit of time. The player is immersed in a complex virtual environment where you have to move quickly and keep track of hazards. Survival depends on the ability to control the periphery of attention and spot enemies from afar. This task is especially difficult in modern AAA games, which boast excellent graphics: the player constantly has to look for the right objects in the clutter of colors and details. He also has to memorize and keep track of the location of key items: ammo, cover, allies, etc. A complex level map is built in the player’s head, which he is constantly updating. Often the gameplay also includes the management of equipment (tanks, planes and so on). And in games with an open world in front of the player opens up the possibility to make their own way and explore the area.
All of this – the task of spatial thinking player. Not surprisingly, children and adults who are coached to play such video games significantly outperform their peers in tests of spatial ability. The benefits of training were first revealed back in the ’90s on such relics as Battlezone and Zaxxon. And a 2013 meta-analysis showed that popular shooters develop thinking skills as well as university courses (in engineering graphics, geological modeling, chess) and lab training. At the same time, action games train faster and their effect lasts longer. Great result, except that in real life action games benefit mostly men, who already outperform women in spatial abilities.
WOMEN LIKE VIDEO GAMES, BUT NOT THOSE
According to the ESA, 44% of gamers in 2015 were female. However, female gamers spend less time playing video games and prefer other genres than men. Women don’t like violent games with violence and war, traditional action game themes. They prefer puzzle games, card and educational games, domestic simulations and games with an emphasis on communication. Unfortunately, games of these genres put minimal strain on spatial thinking. In addition, men retain their advantage in this ability both before and after training.
It is action video games that can close the gap between women and men. In 2009, researchers from Toronto offered 20 subjects for $50 to play computer games for 10 hours (1-2 hours a day, in the lab). Ten men practiced the FPS Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault. Others played the 3D puzzle game Ballance. The results showed that spatial abilities (attention span and mental rotation) improved only for the shooter players. But the main point is different.
Women, who played Medal of Honor for only 10 hours, nearly caught up with the men in their group in the spatial ability tests.
Researchers urge women to pay attention to action video games, because they’re a great training tool. Improved spatial reasoning would help girls learn math and science subjects, as well as compete with men in formerly excluded professions. Unfortunately, this appeal ignores some problems. Women are used to thinking of action video games as a “men’s occupation,” and therefore not for them. The problem is that men also believe this stereotype. They meet women in games with hostility: harassment and criticism.