Sex and training differences in mental rotation: a behavioral and neurophysiological comparison of gifted achievers, gifted underachievers and average intelligent achievers

A male advantage in spatial abilities is assumed to underlie their superior performance in complex mathematical problems. In this study we investigated whether sex differences in mental rotation (MR) tasks are related to female underachievement and whether training effects of a MR training can be generalized across achievers and underachievers. Moreover, the cortical activation pattern (assessed via EEG) of gifted achievers and underachievers as well as average intelligent achievers was studied before and after a 2-week MR training. The EEG was measured in a sample of 39 male and 41 female adolescents while performing MR tasks in a 2D and 3D presentation mode. Findings suggest that sex differences in the 2D MR tasks are related to female underachievement. Overall, brighter female underachievers profited most from the training. Neurophysiologically results provide evidence that achievers and underachievers as well as brighter and less intelligent individuals show distinct cortical activation.