Work preferences, life values, and personal views of top math/science graduate students and the profoundly gifted: developmental changes and sex differences during young adulthood and parenthood

Abstract

Work preferences, life values, and personal views of top math/science graduate students (275 males, 255 females) were assessed at age 25 and age 35. In Study I, analyses of work preferences revealed developmental changes and sex differences in priorities—some sex differences increased over time and were larger among parents than among childless participants. In Study II, the graduate students' life values and personal views at age 35 were compared with those of profoundly gifted participants (top 1 in 10,000, identified by age 13 and tracked for 20 years: 265 males, 84 females). Again, sex differences were larger among parents. Across both cohorts, males appeared to assume a more "telescopic" and career-focused perspective than females did, placing more importance on creating high-impact products, compensation, risk-taking, and being recognized as the best in their fields. Females appeared to favor a more "wide-angle" life perspective, emphasizing community, family, friendships, and less time devoted to career. Replications were achieved on two other intellectually gifted samples (N = 1,975). Increasing sex differences in life priorities over time and following parenthood anticipate differential male-female representation in high-level and time-intensive careers, even among extraordinarily talented males and females with similar ability-preference profiles and educational experiences.