Natural sex hormone cycles and gender differences in memory

Authors

  • C. Otero Dadín Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology Department Psychology School Universidad de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña) (Spain)
  • D. Rodríguez Salgado Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology Department Psychology School Universidad de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña) (Spain)
  • E. Andrade Fernández Department of Social and Basic Psychology and Methodology Psychology School Universidad de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña) (Spain)

Keywords:

Memory, Gender differences, Sex hormone cycles, Healthy young subjects

Abstract

Objective. To analyze gender differences in memory and the influence of the natural sex hormone cycles on it.

Method. A total of 20 men and 19 women were assessed with memory tests two times coinciding with two hormonal phases of the diurnal cycle of testosterone in men or menstrual cycle in women.

Results. It was observed that women perform better than men in delayed verbal memory as well as in immediate and delayed object recall, and men in digit span. It was also found that there was a significant effect of the hormonal cycles on verbal working memory, immediate object recall and on the spatial component of visuoconstructive memory. Finally, hormonal cycles determine the existence and direction of gender differences in verbal working memory, delayed object recall and in the spatial component of visuoconstructive memory.

Conclusions. Natural sex hormone cycles seem to influence gender differences in some measurements of memory.

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Published

2009-03-01

How to Cite

Otero Dadín, C., et al. “Natural Sex Hormone Cycles and Gender Differences in Memory”. Actas Españolas De Psiquiatría, vol. 37, no. 2, Mar. 2009, pp. 68-74, https://actaspsiquiatria.es/index.php/actas/article/view/831.

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 2 (2009)

Section

Original