Non-Euclidean navigational strategies of women: Compensatory response or evolved dimorphism?

Original article:

Non-Euclidean navigational strategies of women: Compensatory response or evolved dimorphism?

Evolutionary Psychology 4: 75-84 Irwin Silverman, Psychology Department, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3J 1P3, isilv@yorku.caJean Choi, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1K 6P1, jean.choi@uleth.ca

Abstract

The proposition underlying this study was that females’ use of topographical, rather than Euclidean navigational strategies emanate from a separate evolved mechanism rather than a compensatory response due to lesser Euclidean abilities. In support of this contention, it was found that, in terms of ontogenetic development, females’ advantages in object location memory emerged during the same age interval as their greater use of a landmark route learning strategy, while the male advantage in Euclidean abilities appeared during the same age interval as their greater use of an orientation route learning strategy.

Keywords

Navigation, Route learning, Sex differences, Object location recall, Euclidean abilities.

Full article

Download PDF (free)