Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Psychology
Date of Award
8-2005
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Russell W. Brown
Committee Members
Michael L. Woodruff, Otto Zinser
Abstract
A computerized virtual version of the Morris water maze (vMWM) was used to assess human gender differences in spatial working memory. In Experiment 1, the release point and platform location was changed on every other trial for 20 trials. Men had significantly reduced acquisition latencies and more accurate heading errors on the first daily trial compared to women. In Experiment 2, the release point and platform location was changed every fourth trial for 20 trials. Men had significantly shorter acquisition latencies and path lengths than women. Experiment 3 was identical to Experiment 2, except that environmental cues were changed throughout testing. Men had significantly shorter acquisition latencies and path lengths than did the women. These studies are the first to demonstrate significant gender differences in a spatial working memory version of the vMWM.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Click, Ivy A., "Gender Differences in Working Memory in Humans Tested on a Virtual Morris Water Maze." (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1052. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1052
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.