Cognitive and Social-emotional Development Differences according to Sex

Abstract

This study presents a comparison by sex of the cognitive and social-emotional development of 100 Chilean students who participated in the Program Talentos UdeC and the majority of whom are finishing their senior year of high school. These students were pre-selected in 2004 by their teachers to participate in the Program based on their academic talent. In 2010, their academic performance, reading comprehension, mathematical level, university selection standardized test scores (PSU), academic motivation, social-emotional adaptation, social responsibility, and pro-social /antisocial behavior were measured and compared. Our results showed differences in social-emotional development, where women were favored. Significant differences in cognitive development were observed in only two of the 16 indicators. Based on our results, we concluded that there were no significant differences between sexes en the areas studied.