Interacting with women can impair men’s cognitive functioning

doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2009.05.004

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Volume 45, Issue 4, July 2009, Pages 1041-1044

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2009.05.004 Get rights and content

Abstract

The present research tested the prediction that mixed-sex interactions may temporarily impair cognitive functioning. Two studies, in which participants interacted either with a same-sex or opposite-sex other, demonstrated that men’s (but not women’s) cognitive performance declined following a mixed-sex encounter. In line with our theoretical reasoning, this effect occurred more strongly to the extent that the opposite-sex other was perceived as more attractive (Study 1), and to the extent that participants reported higher levels of impression management motivation (Study 2). Implications for the general role of interpersonal processes in cognitive functioning, and some practical implications, are discussed.

Section snippets

Participants and design

Forty male students (average age 20.6) participated, and were randomly assigned to either the same-sex or opposite-sex condition.

Procedure

Upon arrival in the lab, a male experimenter seated the participant behind a computer in a small room. All further instructions were presented on the computer screen.

First, as a baseline measure of cognitive performance, participants completed a 2-back task (for details, see Braver et al., 1997). This task has been widely used as an indicator of cognitive performance

Study 2

Study 2 was designed to extend Study 1 in several aspects. First, we used a different measure of cognitive functioning, and used both male and female participants. Moreover, instead of using confederates which may restrict the generalizability of the findings, in Study 2 each participant interacted with another, either same-sex or opposite-sex, participant. Finally, rather than measuring perceived attractiveness, Study 2 explicitly measured participants’ self-reported impression management

General discussion

Not only can mixed-sex interactions sometimes feel awkward, the current findings demonstrate that interacting with an opposite-sex other can actually impair cognitive functioning. This effect occurred irrespective of whether participants were romantically involved or single, and especially among males, which paralleled the finding that men’s (but not women’s) self-presentational concerns were stronger in mixed-sex as compared to same-sex encounters. Also in line with a self-presentational

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In future studies, it would be interesting to investigate the interplay of personal characteristics of the counterparts and the self-awareness effect of eye contact. For example, it has been found that the cognitive functioning of men (but not of women) is impaired by a mixed-sex interaction due to increased impression management, same-sex interactions having no such effect on either gender (Karremans, Verwijmeren, Pronk, & Reitsma, 2009). The increased attempt of men to control women’s impression of themselves may be associated with increased self-focus and enhanced self-awareness.
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FlashReportsInteracting with women can impair men’s cognitive functioning

Abstract

Section snippets

Participants and design

Procedure

Study 2

General discussion

NeuroImage

Sex differences in attributions for friendly behavior: Do males misperceive females’ friendliness?

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevant evidence

Personality and Social Psychological Review

Self-regulation failure: An overview

Psychological Inquiry

Shyness and sociability re-examined: A multicomponent analysis

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Sexual Strategies Theory: A contextual evolutionary analysis of human mating

Psychological Review

The extrinsic affective Simon task

Experimental Psychology

High-maintenance interaction: Inefficient social coordination impairs self-regulation

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Boys, girls, and achievement: Addressing the classroom issues

Mimicking attractive opposite-sex others: The role of romantic relationship status

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

FlashReports
Interacting with women can impair men’s cognitive functioning