Determinants of individual differences and gender differences in knowledge

The authors investigated the abilities, self-concept, personality, interest , motivational traits, and other determinants of knowledge across physical sciences/technology, biology/psychology, humanities, and civics domains. Te sts and self-report measures were administered to 320 university freshmen. Crystallized intelligence was a better predictor than was fluid intelligenc e for most knowledge domains. Gender differences favoring men were found fo r most knowledge domains. Accounting for intelligence reduced the gender in fluence in predicting knowledge differences. Inclusion of nonability predic tors further reduced the variance accounted for by gender. Analysis of Adva nced Placement test scores largely supported the results of the knowledge t ests. Results are consistent with theoretical predictions that: development of intellect as knowledge results from investment of cognitive resources, which, in turn, is affected by a small set of trait complexes