Sex differences in ability tilt: Support for investment theory

This research examined sex differences in ability tilt, defined as within-subject differences in math and verbal scores on three tests (SAT, ACT, PSAT). These differences produced math tilt (math>verbal) and verbal tilt (verbal>math). Both types of tilt were correlated with specific abilities (e.g., verbal and math), based on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Tilt was also correlated with college majors in STEM (e.g., science and math) and the humanities (e.g., English and history), and with jobs in STEM and other occupations. Males showed math tilt and STEM preferences, whereas females showed verbal tilt and humanities preferences. For males and females, math tilt predicted math ability and STEM criteria (majors and jobs), and verbal tilt predicted verbal ability and verbal criteria. Tilt scores correlated negatively with competing abilities (e.g., math tilt and verbal ability). The results supported investment theories, which assume that investment in a specific ability boosts similar abilities but retards competing abilities. In addition, the results bolster the validity of tilt, which was unrelated to g but still predicted specific abilities, college majors, and jobs.