Selective sex differences in declarative memory

Mem Cognit. 2004 Oct;32(7):1160-9. doi: 10.3758/bf03196889.

Abstract

Sex invariance of a six-factor, higher order model of declarative memory (two second-order factors: episodic and semantic memory; and four first-order factors: recall, recognition, fluency, and knowledge) was established for 1,796 participants (35-85 years). Metric invariance of first- and second-order factor loadings across sex was demonstrated. At the second-order level, a female advantage was observed for both episodic and semantic memory. At the first-order level, sex differences in episodic memory were apparent for both recall and recognition, whereas the differences in semantic memory were driven by a female superiority in fluency. Additional tests of sex differences in three age groups (35-50, 55-65, and 70-85 years of age) indicated that the female superiority in declarative memory diminished with advancing age. The factor-specific sex differences are discussed in relation to sex differences in hippocampal function.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Attention*
  • Color Perception
  • Discrimination Learning
  • Face
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Mental Recall*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Reading
  • Semantics
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Sex Factors
  • Speech Perception
  • Verbal Learning*