Review article
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-1911
Sex Hormones and Cognitive Functioning of Women
Nataša Šimić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4215-3668
; Odjel za psihologiju, Sveučilište u Zadru, Zadar, Hrvatska
Ljiljana Gregov
; Odjel za psihologiju, Sveučilište u Zadru, Zadar, Hrvatska
Abstract
This paper discusses the organisational and activational effects of sex hormones, and their infl uence on cognitive functioning. Previous studies have shown gender differences in specifi c cognitive abilities. Women generally show an advantage in verbal fl uency, perceptual speed and accuracy, as well as in fi ne motor skills, while men generally show an advantage in spatial and mathematical abilities. These differences in cognitive functioning are thought to occur as a result of foetal brain exposure to different levels of sex hormones during prenatal life. Additional evidence of organisational effects of sex hormones on cognitive functioning also comes from studies of subjects with genetic disorders, such as androgen insensitivity
syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and Tyrner syndrome.
Furthermore, former investigations have shown that increase in female sex hormone in the late follicular and/or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle intensifi es the typical female cognitive pattern of functioning with improved effi ciency in tasks which are usually better performed by women. At the same time, low levels of such hormones that characterise the menstrual phase of the cycle intensify the typical male cognitive pattern of functioning with better effi ciency in tasks which usually better performed by men. This paper also points to methodological differences between investigations of organizational and activational effects of sex hormones on cognitive functioning, as well a to the direction of future investigations.
Keywords
activational effects; menstrual cycle; oestrogen; organisational effects; progesterone; sex differences; testosterone
Hrčak ID:
40688
URI
Publication date:
15.9.2009.
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