Sex Differences in Problem Solving as a Function of Role Appropriateness of the Problem Content

Abstract

Earlier studies have shown that there is a consistent sex difference in problem solving, and that this may be partially accounted for in terms of the sexrole identification of the Ss solving the problems (Milton, 1957). The present investigation has as its focus the role appropriateness of the problems which Ss are required to solve. The principal hypothesis may be stated as follows: When the characteristics of problems He altered so as to make them less appropriate to the msczlline sex role, the sex differences in problem-solving skill will be redgced. A preliminary survey showed that the content of problems which college men and women characteristically solve in their daily lives is different, and that problems conventional to psychological research are more often typically masculine (Milton, 1958, pp. 9-10). Two previous studies designed to test the hypothesis resulted in conflicting results (Milton, 1958, pp. 9-16, 29-43 ) , and the present experiment is an attempt to resolve these differences. Con~traction of problems.-Two parallel sets of problems were required. One set must be in the form conventional to the problem-solving literame, the other set must be in a form more appropriate to the feminine sex role, or less appropriate to the masculine role. These sets were formed by choosing 20 problems of the conventional sort and then constructing a parallel set in which the tasks remained the same but in which the content of the problems had been altered to be more appropriate to the female role. Role appropriateness was based upon the preliminary survey referred to above. An example may serve to illustrate the manner in which the alterations were made. The conventional problem chosen from earlier experiments reads: Snuffy, the tramp, rolls his own cigarettes from butts he collects in his travels. The tobacco from six butts produces one new cigarette. One day he collected a total of 72 buas. He smoked a cigarette every half hour, yet this supply lasted him seven hours. How did he manage this? The parallel problem in the female-role appropriate form is:

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