Automatization and perceptual restructuring performance across the menstrual cycle

Abstract

The cognitive performance of undergraduate psychology women (n=49) and men (n=48) was assessed using standardized automatization and perceptual restructuring measures. Women were classified into five groups based on the phase of the menstrual cycle they were experiencing at the time of testing. Results showed that the automatization performance of women who were expecting to menstruate in 11-15 days was better than that of males. The perceptual restructuring performance of all groups of women was about the same as that of men. The discussion focuses on a possible relationship between phases of the menstrual cycle and cognitive performance. © 1983, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.