Gender, Technology Use, and Deductive Reasoning: An Empirical Study From a Spanish Speakers Sample

Resumen

Based on the extended mind perspective (i.e., the notion that the human mind is a bodily process extended and distributed throughout the environment), it is argued that human cognition is impacted by digital technologies. However, little is known about how technology links to deductive reasoning skills and to what extent, if any, a technology-plus-mind synergy may alter higher cognition. Since men and women differ in their purposes for using technological devices, the research aimed to detect whether gender patterns of technology-based behaviors may be associated with differences in deductive reasoning skills. To this end, data from 222 participants was collected mainly through social media networks. A total of 68% of the sample informed having coursed higher education studies from different Spanish universities. A Questionnaire in Technology Use was developed, including three dimensions (i.e. digital devices and their frequency of daily use, technology-based activities, and digital contents). Deductive reasoning was assessed through classical tasks (i.e. the THOG problem, the Wason´s Selection Card and a set of syllogisms). Correlations, t tests for independent samples, and two-way ANOVAs were performed. The results revealed: (a) gender patterns in technology use: men were prone to recreational activities and women were more learning-oriented and preferred topics related to self-projection and (b) a link between gender patterns of technology usage and deductive reasoning: in women a positive but mild association was found between technology use and performance on reasoning tasks. These preliminary results challenge the notion of higher cognitive offloading on technology, especially in women, and suggest a gender gap in the nexus between technology-based behaviors and deductive reasoning skills.