Greater male variability in overexcitabilities: Domain-specific patterns

Greater male variability in overexcitabilities: Domain-specific patterns
Wu-jing Hea, Wan-chi Wong
Personality and Individual Differences (Aug 2014)


Highlights

o The greater male variability hypothesis was tested in overexcitability (OE).
o Domain-specific gendered-patterns were found across the five domains of OE.
o The hypothesis was supported in sensual, imaginational, and intellectual OEs.
o Male superiority was found in psychomotor OE.
o Female superiority was found in emotional OE.

Abstract

The greater male variability hypothesis posits that males exhibit greater variability than females in both mental and physical characteristics. The hypothesis has been supported in various giftedness-related constructs (e.g., intelligence, talents, creativity). This study extended this line of research to another giftedness-related psychological construct: overexcitability (OE). The Overexcitability Questionnaire-Two was administered to 836 (51% girls) 7–9th graders in Hong Kong to assess the five domains of OE (i.e., psychomotor, sensual, intellectual, imaginational, and emotional). The results suggested a domain-specific pattern of gender differences in the variability of OE scores. Greater male variability was found in the sensual, imaginational, and intellectual OE domains; male superiority was found in the psychomotor domain; and female superiority was found in the emotional domain. These domain-specific findings enrich the discourse surrounding the greater male variability hypothesis. Theoretical and educational implications regarding the findings are discussed.

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