Social intelligence game
Two weeks ago, we looked at how just ten hours on a video game helped women catch up in spatial performance ( 10/9/2007). Researchers at McGill University are developing games towards a different purpose: increasing self-esteem and reducing stress. Mark Baldwin's Self-Esteem Games attempt to condition players to focus on the positive about themselves and their environments. Much of the theory behind the self-esteem games is based on Baldwin's findings that low self-esteem individuals pay more attention to rejection than acceptance (Baldwin & Dandeneau, 2004). Surprisingly, the group's research has found no difference in self-esteem between men and women (e.g. Baccus et al, 2004).
As discussed in June, many researchers have found differences in self-esteem measurements between men and women, although it varies with the measurement used. Despite the inconsistencies in measuring gender differences in self-esteem, many theories surrounding gender differences in performance focus on women's assumed lower self-esteem. Personally, I think that women do tend to have lower self-esteem, at least in the protective definition of the concept. While women and men may have similar levels of self-esteem in a generalized sense, I suspect that the difference in how it is constructed may leave women more vulnerable to criticism than men, which would counteract any protective effect.
As discussed in June, many researchers have found differences in self-esteem measurements between men and women, although it varies with the measurement used. Despite the inconsistencies in measuring gender differences in self-esteem, many theories surrounding gender differences in performance focus on women's assumed lower self-esteem. Personally, I think that women do tend to have lower self-esteem, at least in the protective definition of the concept. While women and men may have similar levels of self-esteem in a generalized sense, I suspect that the difference in how it is constructed may leave women more vulnerable to criticism than men, which would counteract any protective effect.