Sex differences, hemispheric laterality, and associated brain activity in the intellectually gifted

Author(s): Benbow, C. P., Alexander, J. E.

Journal/Book: Develop Neuropsychol. 1995; 11: 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 415-443.

Abstract: Benbow (1986) proposed that enhanced development of the right cerebral hemisphere may be associated with extreme intellectual giftedness. Here we report on a series of studies conducted to evaluate the viability of this hypothesis, using several neuropsychological methods (e.g., dichotic listening, concurrent finger-tapping, chimeric face, and word processing). Also presented are new data from electroencephalographic recordings of brain activity taken from precocious and average-ability male and female adolescents while they performed two of the aforementioned tasks. These experiments provide convergent lines of evidence suggesting that enhanced right-hemisphere involvement during basic information processing, as well as superior coordination and allocation of cortical resources within and between the hemispheres, are unique characteristics of the gifted brain. The evidence is especially compelling for precocious male adolescents, as gifted female adolescents tend to exhibit a somewhat more bilateral and diffuse state of functional brain organization.

Note: Article MW Oboyle, Iowa State Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Psychol, W112 Lagomarcino Hall, Ames, IA 50011 USA

Keyword(s): MATHEMATICAL REASONING ABILITY; NONVERBAL SOUNDS; CHIMERIC FACES; ASYMMETRY; PERCEPTION; HANDEDNESS; PRECOCITY; CHILDREN; GIRLS; BOYS

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