This is more a cognitive psychology question than an art history question, so I don't feel as well-versed to answer it. I don't think Piaget and his proteges ever addressed the issue of gender difference in object association. There have been some recent studies in gender difference in certain cognitive abilities, with some interesting results. One that interests me and perhaps bolsters my premise is that because males seem to be universally better at spatial skills and object-oriented mental processes, it is possible that their emotional attachment to objects may have to do with natural cognitive tendencies.
Women, OTOH, are better at verbal skills and verbal recall. Their object memory seems to be based in the location of objects, which is a different sort of relationship -- objects are not the focus of a mental process, but are in fact part of a larger process concerning memory. The combination of better verbal skills and "big picture" mental processes may account for women being less interested in objects as reminders of emotional experiences too.
Fascinating stuff. Maybe I should go back to grad school. NOT!
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Object Association
Date: 2006-05-18 01:07 am (UTC)Women, OTOH, are better at verbal skills and verbal recall. Their object memory seems to be based in the location of objects, which is a different sort of relationship -- objects are not the focus of a mental process, but are in fact part of a larger process concerning memory. The combination of better verbal skills and "big picture" mental processes may account for women being less interested in objects as reminders of emotional experiences too.
Fascinating stuff. Maybe I should go back to grad school. NOT!