Basic cognition in adulthood: Combined effects of sex and personality

This study was designed to explore the relationships between sex, personality, and basic cognitive processes. Using a representative adult sample of 245 participants (M age = 47.80 years) with processing speed and short-term memory (STM) as the dependent variables, sex, and personality traits were entered into multiple regression analyses. Sex (female) and personality (high Extraversion) positively predicted processing speeds (final βs = .25 and .24, respectively). In addition, there was a Sex X Conscientiousness interaction for processing speed in which females high in Conscientiousness were significantly faster than males high in Conscientiousness; low Conscientiousness scores were non-discriminatory between the sexes. Sex (male) and personality (high Extraversion, low Conscientiousness) were predictive of STM (final βs = −.17, .16, and −.19, respectively). Differences in cognitive styles or motivation levels in low conscientious and high conscientious men and women may account for these differences.