Sex Differences, Originality, and Personality Response Styles

Abstract

The present study sought to investigate the significance of difference between 195 male and 210 female students at the University of Cairo, Egypt on 6 scores of originality and 30 personality trait and response styles. Additional aim was to compare the factorial structure of these variables to assess the influences of sex on the general pattern of relationships between originality and personality. The comparison of the two groups shows that it is not possible to draw a simple general conclusion about the superiority of men over women on the different aspects of originality. However, in each sex group the originality tests are loaded on one factor. In both groups the originality variables are almost independent of other personality measures. Despite this fact, men show more tendency toward linking their expression of originality consistently with variables such as rigidity, extreme desire for diversion, category width, and so on, reflecting that the differential personality patterns underlying the expression of creativity are mediated, at least in part, by sex.