2 Sex Differences in Personality
Sex Differences in Psychiatric and Neurological Conditions
Personality disorders manifest extreme personality traits and have genetic and environmental causes. Their occurrence differs between sexes. Males show higher rates of childhood onset conditions like autism spectrum disorder, conduct disorder, ADHD, and dyslexia, with prevalence ranging from 60% to 90%. In contrast, adult onset conditions like major depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders are more common in females, with rates around 60% to 80%. Alcoholism or substance abuse is more prevalent in males. These sex differences are significant and warrant further study.
Sex Differences in Personality Within the Normal Range
Personality traits in adults often cluster together, leading to models that describe personality in broader categories called factors. One significant model is the Big Five, which includes emotional stability (formerly called neuroticism), extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Each factor ranges from one extreme to the other, and neither extreme is ideal. The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) and the Five Factor Model (FFM) are two popular ways to assess these traits.
Research shows that gender differences in personality traits are generally small, but some significant differences do exist. Women tend to experience higher levels of anxiety and stress than men, correlating with a higher prevalence of depression among women. In personality assessments, women typically appreciate art and beauty more than men, are more open to feelings and emotions, and often downplay their achievements. Women are also generally seen as more sensitive and emotionally reactive.
Men, on the other hand, are typically less warm and more focused on utilitarian tasks, aligning with stereotypes of being reserved and logical. The data suggests that women are more likely to possess characteristics that emphasize warmth and kindness, while men lean towards a more utilitarian approach. Overall, the findings reveal a substantial difference in personality traits related to social sensitivity and emotional connection, particularly favoring women.
In infancy, research on personality differences is less precise but still shows trends. Studies indicate that infant girls tend to respond more empathetically to crying and maintain eye contact longer than boys. Girls also demonstrate more joy in response to their mother and show a preference for human-like objects, while boys gravitate toward mechanical items. These early differences hint at underlying personality traits that align with later findings in adults.
Sex Differences in Personality Worldwide
Personality differences between men and women are seen around the world, suggesting these traits are not just shaped by upbringing in Western cultures. Global comparisons show varying legal and social statuses of women, from subservience in some cultures to gender parity in Scandinavian countries. Despite these differences, studies reveal that women consistently score higher on traits like warmth, altruism, and sociability across 50 diverse nations. The findings indicate that regardless of cultural and economic backgrounds, the trend of women exhibiting more positive personality traits than men remains strong. This suggests a universal pattern in personality differences rather than solely a result of cultural influence.
Sex Differences in Personality and a Society’s Gender Egality
Gender egality means making changes in society so that men and women are treated equally. The main question is whether sex differences in personality become smaller in countries that promote gender egality. Some theories suggest that if these differences are not natural and are instead created by society, then reducing those social causes should eventually lead to smaller differences.
However, surprising evidence shows that in countries with more gender egality, personality differences between sexes are often larger. The Costa study found that the biggest personality differences between men and women were in European and American cultures, while smaller differences were seen in African and Asian cultures. This study used the UN's Gender Inequality Index (GII) to measure how equal or unequal countries are. The results showed that countries with better GII scores (lower inequality) had greater personality differences.
The McCrae study supported the Costa study’s findings and looked at a larger group of nations. It found similar negative correlations, meaning that as gender equality increased, differences in personality traits like emotional stability and agreeableness also increased.
Next, the Schmitt study expanded these findings by using a different personality inventory and including more countries. It confirmed that greater gender egality was related to larger sex differences in personality traits.
Further studies in 2018 also backed up these results. The Giolla study, which used a different measure of gender equality, found positive correlations with personality differences. The Falk study showed that as countries developed and became more equal, sex differences in preferences related to personality traits increased.
There are several possible reasons why sex differences in personality haven't decreased where gender egality is strong. One idea is that in traditional societies, people see gender differences as the norm, while in more advanced societies, they see these differences as personal traits. This might explain why personality differences in advanced cultures are more noticeable. Moreover, studies suggest that men tend to show more change in personality traits and behaviors in advanced countries, leading to wider differences.
Overall, the evidence shows that, contrary to expectations, sex differences in personality tend to be larger in societies that promote gender egality compared to those with traditional gender roles.
Recapitulation
Males and females have different personality traits that can be seen on the People-Things dimension around the world. These differences often match common stereotypes about men and women. While many men might share traits with women and vice versa, studies show that, on average, women tend to be warmer, more sympathetic, and more sensitive than men. In more equal societies, these differences might stand out even more because both men and women feel freer to express their natural personalities compared to traditional societies, where they face cultural pressures.
Sex Differences in Psychiatric and Neurological Conditions
Personality disorders manifest extreme personality traits and have genetic and environmental causes. Their occurrence differs between sexes. Males show higher rates of childhood onset conditions like autism spectrum disorder, conduct disorder, ADHD, and dyslexia, with prevalence ranging from 60% to 90%. In contrast, adult onset conditions like major depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders are more common in females, with rates around 60% to 80%. Alcoholism or substance abuse is more prevalent in males. These sex differences are significant and warrant further study.
Sex Differences in Personality Within the Normal Range
Personality traits in adults often cluster together, leading to models that describe personality in broader categories called factors. One significant model is the Big Five, which includes emotional stability (formerly called neuroticism), extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Each factor ranges from one extreme to the other, and neither extreme is ideal. The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) and the Five Factor Model (FFM) are two popular ways to assess these traits.
Research shows that gender differences in personality traits are generally small, but some significant differences do exist. Women tend to experience higher levels of anxiety and stress than men, correlating with a higher prevalence of depression among women. In personality assessments, women typically appreciate art and beauty more than men, are more open to feelings and emotions, and often downplay their achievements. Women are also generally seen as more sensitive and emotionally reactive.
Men, on the other hand, are typically less warm and more focused on utilitarian tasks, aligning with stereotypes of being reserved and logical. The data suggests that women are more likely to possess characteristics that emphasize warmth and kindness, while men lean towards a more utilitarian approach. Overall, the findings reveal a substantial difference in personality traits related to social sensitivity and emotional connection, particularly favoring women.
In infancy, research on personality differences is less precise but still shows trends. Studies indicate that infant girls tend to respond more empathetically to crying and maintain eye contact longer than boys. Girls also demonstrate more joy in response to their mother and show a preference for human-like objects, while boys gravitate toward mechanical items. These early differences hint at underlying personality traits that align with later findings in adults.
Sex Differences in Personality Worldwide
Personality differences between men and women are seen around the world, suggesting these traits are not just shaped by upbringing in Western cultures. Global comparisons show varying legal and social statuses of women, from subservience in some cultures to gender parity in Scandinavian countries. Despite these differences, studies reveal that women consistently score higher on traits like warmth, altruism, and sociability across 50 diverse nations. The findings indicate that regardless of cultural and economic backgrounds, the trend of women exhibiting more positive personality traits than men remains strong. This suggests a universal pattern in personality differences rather than solely a result of cultural influence.
Sex Differences in Personality and a Society’s Gender Egality
Gender egality means making changes in society so that men and women are treated equally. The main question is whether sex differences in personality become smaller in countries that promote gender egality. Some theories suggest that if these differences are not natural and are instead created by society, then reducing those social causes should eventually lead to smaller differences.
However, surprising evidence shows that in countries with more gender egality, personality differences between sexes are often larger. The Costa study found that the biggest personality differences between men and women were in European and American cultures, while smaller differences were seen in African and Asian cultures. This study used the UN's Gender Inequality Index (GII) to measure how equal or unequal countries are. The results showed that countries with better GII scores (lower inequality) had greater personality differences.
The McCrae study supported the Costa study’s findings and looked at a larger group of nations. It found similar negative correlations, meaning that as gender equality increased, differences in personality traits like emotional stability and agreeableness also increased.
Next, the Schmitt study expanded these findings by using a different personality inventory and including more countries. It confirmed that greater gender egality was related to larger sex differences in personality traits.
Further studies in 2018 also backed up these results. The Giolla study, which used a different measure of gender equality, found positive correlations with personality differences. The Falk study showed that as countries developed and became more equal, sex differences in preferences related to personality traits increased.
There are several possible reasons why sex differences in personality haven't decreased where gender egality is strong. One idea is that in traditional societies, people see gender differences as the norm, while in more advanced societies, they see these differences as personal traits. This might explain why personality differences in advanced cultures are more noticeable. Moreover, studies suggest that men tend to show more change in personality traits and behaviors in advanced countries, leading to wider differences.
Overall, the evidence shows that, contrary to expectations, sex differences in personality tend to be larger in societies that promote gender egality compared to those with traditional gender roles.
Recapitulation
Males and females have different personality traits that can be seen on the People-Things dimension around the world. These differences often match common stereotypes about men and women. While many men might share traits with women and vice versa, studies show that, on average, women tend to be warmer, more sympathetic, and more sensitive than men. In more equal societies, these differences might stand out even more because both men and women feel freer to express their natural personalities compared to traditional societies, where they face cultural pressures.