3 ms·

Gender and the effect of temperature on cognitive performance

13 points by laurex 7y ago

luckylion 7y ago
Is it really gender, not sex?
- jfengel 7y ago
  Since they were asking people for their identity, then their data is about gender. If they'd looked between people's legs, then it would have been about sex. Presumably the basis of the observed differences is biological (genetic, hormonal, etc) though there's a good chance that clothing choices figure into it, and that's gender rather than sex. It would perhaps have been also been correct if they inferred sex from gender in their study. The correlation of gender to sex is close enough (given the wide error bars in their data) that it would likely be sufficiently valid. There weren't nearly enough people in the study to segment out trans, nonbinary, intersex, etc. data. Arguably they're being precise in their reporting, though really they just didn't think about it one way or the other. Apropos of nothing, however, the study was performed at Middlesex University.
  - luckylion 7y ago
    Thanks, that makes some sense. If clothing would play a role, I'd hope they'd account for that (at the very least in further studies) before it has too big an impact (judging from the articles that are written, it has: the patriarchy strikes again) if that turns out to be a key factor. It's strange that an innocent question for clarification will get downvoted immediately. Such a strange crowd here.
foxyv 7y ago
Women's business clothing tends to be a lot thinner fabric and form fitted. This means it doesn't insulate as well and doesn't form an air pocket between the skin and the fabric. Worse, it's usually synthetic preventing moisture wicking and is wholly uncomfortable. Not quite like having a plastic bag wrapped around you, but it's getting close. Women's fashion is like a race to make the worst possible clothing. Don't even get me started about the shoes.
ncmncm 7y ago
At least if it's too cold you can put more on. Too hot, do I get to take off my shirt? Too hot is likely to be a bigger problem in coming decades than too cold.

13 points by laurex 7y ago

luckylion 7y ago

Is it really gender, not sex?

jfengel 7y ago
Since they were asking people for their identity, then their data is about gender. If they'd looked between people's legs, then it would have been about sex. Presumably the basis of the observed differences is biological (genetic, hormonal, etc) though there's a good chance that clothing choices figure into it, and that's gender rather than sex. It would perhaps have been also been correct if they inferred sex from gender in their study. The correlation of gender to sex is close enough (given the wide error bars in their data) that it would likely be sufficiently valid. There weren't nearly enough people in the study to segment out trans, nonbinary, intersex, etc. data. Arguably they're being precise in their reporting, though really they just didn't think about it one way or the other. Apropos of nothing, however, the study was performed at Middlesex University.
- luckylion 7y ago
  Thanks, that makes some sense. If clothing would play a role, I'd hope they'd account for that (at the very least in further studies) before it has too big an impact (judging from the articles that are written, it has: the patriarchy strikes again) if that turns out to be a key factor. It's strange that an innocent question for clarification will get downvoted immediately. Such a strange crowd here.

foxyv 7y ago

Women's business clothing tends to be a lot thinner fabric and form fitted. This means it doesn't insulate as well and doesn't form an air pocket between the skin and the fabric. Worse, it's usually synthetic preventing moisture wicking and is wholly uncomfortable. Not quite like having a plastic bag wrapped around you, but it's getting close. Women's fashion is like a race to make the worst possible clothing. Don't even get me started about the shoes.

ncmncm 7y ago

At least if it's too cold you can put more on. Too hot, do I get to take off my shirt? Too hot is likely to be a bigger problem in coming decades than too cold.