Mental Rotation Task Performance in Relation to Sexual and Gender Diversity in Thailand

Mental Rotation Task Performance in Relation to Sexual and Gender Diversity in Thailand. Lindsey T. Thurston et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology, September 23 2021, 105428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105428

Highlights

• Visuospatial sex difference favoring cis men replicated in Thai population.

• Visuospatial organizational effect evident in Thai gay men and sao praphet song.

• Limited effect of sexual or gender diversity in participants assigned female at birth.

Abstract: Neurohormonal theory argues that organizational effects of hormone exposure influence sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as sex differences in visuospatial cognition. This study examined mental rotation task (MRT) performance in a diverse Thai sample (N = 980). Thai culture has several third genders: individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) who are feminine and attracted to cis men (i.e., sao praphet song); individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) who are masculine and attracted to feminine individuals (i.e., toms); AFAB individuals who are feminine and attracted to toms (i.e., dees); and sexual orientation categories similar to Western culture (e.g., gay, lesbian, bi). On the MRT, straight cis men outperformed straight cis women. Results were consistent with organizational effects among AMAB individuals, with straight cis men outperforming gay cis men and sao praphet song. Among AFAB individuals, however, only bi and lesbian cis women outperformed dees. Overall, support for neurohormonal theory was limited among AFAB individuals, but MRT performance among AMAB individuals was consistent with organizational effects. This study informs our understanding of visuospatial sex/gender differences and the applicability of neurohormonal theory across cultures.

Keywords: visuospatial cognitionmental rotationneurohormonal theorygender identitysexual orientationThailand