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Thurston LT, Coome LA, Skorska MN, Peragine DE, Saokhieo P, Kaewthip O, Chariyalertsak S, VanderLaan DP. Mental rotation task performance in relation to sexual and gender diversity in Thailand. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 133:105428. [PMID: 34600175 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey T Thurston
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, L5L 1C6 ON, Canada
| | - Lindsay A Coome
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, L5L 1C6 ON, Canada
| | - Malvina N Skorska
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, L5L 1C6 ON, Canada; Child and Youth Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, M6J 1H4 ON, Canada
| | - Diana E Peragine
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, L5L 1C6 ON, Canada
| | - Pongpun Saokhieo
- Research Institute of Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Sriphum, Muang Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Oranitcha Kaewthip
- Research Institute of Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Sriphum, Muang Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Suwat Chariyalertsak
- Faculty of Public Health and Research Institute of Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Sriphum, Muang Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Doug P VanderLaan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, L5L 1C6 ON, Canada; Child and Youth Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, M6J 1H4 ON, Canada.
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