Why Men are Better at Navigating Than Women?

By , in News Sci/Tech on . Tagged width:

A study revealed that men are truly better at navigating than women are, although it seems that men must refrain from becoming too proud of this.

What did the study tell us?

Researchers from the University College of London think that this skill is based on the ability to differentiate and discriminate while dealing with unequal opportunities. This means that it is not something that we are born with, necessarily.

Initially, they worked a study on dementia and these were just sided notes. However, it managed to give us some insight that we never have before, allowing us to find out more about our ability to navigate all around the globe.

How did they study navigation?

Actually, you might find this quite interesting. Apparently, these researchers used Sea Hero Quest, a computer game played by over four million people. In this game people have to save an old sailor, more precisely, his memories. A nautical adventure, Sea Hero Quest requires that you use your smartphone to chart a course through deserted islands and frozen oceans.

By playing it, your sense of direction and the ability to navigate are measured and recorded anonymously. The study published in Current Biology showed the results, which tell us that men are better navigators than women.

Professor Hugo Spiers took a look at the data that shows equality in all kinds of areas, from health access to education and job opportunities. He concluded that navigation isn’t innate. According to his findings, when men and women have equal rights, the difference in special orientation is minimal, as opposed to when there is a high inequality between genders.

Men are better at navigating when they live in a culture where inequality exists, according to Spiers. The game showed other results as well: Scandinavia is the best at navigation, perhaps due to Vikings; after we are no longer teenagers, we become worse; people from wealthy countries are better navigators.

As our second lead editor, Anna C. Mackinno provides guidance on the stories Great Lakes Ledger reporters cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Anna. Anna received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.