title: Psychometric analysis of the systemizing quotient (SQ) scale.
abstract: The psychometric properties of the systemizing quotient (SQ) developed by Baron-Cohen (2003) are investigated in three studies. Furthermore, we examine the notion that the ability to systemize should be independent of intelligence. In Studies 1 and 2, confirmatory factor analyses are used to examine the factor structure of the SQ. Study 3 examines the relationship between systemizing, mental rotation and intelligence. Studies 1 and 2 indicate that the SQ does not possess a unifactorial structure but is best considered as four related factors; Study 3 found that SQ was not related to intelligence, although mental rotation was. A four factor structure using fewer items was a better fit for the data than either the original version of the SQ or Wakabayashi et al.'s (2006) revised version. Overall these results support Baron-Cohen's view that SQ is not related to intelligence. Although mental rotation is correlated to SQ, it is not the main determinant of SQ. The problems of self-report measures are discussed along with the difficulties related to measuring systemizing.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, UK. j.r.ling@psy.keele.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Tanya C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Julia L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Salt
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Muncer
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004645:Empathy; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013028:Space Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires