Women statistically possess better multitasking abilities than men

the verdict

REFUTED

the evidence says no

Recorded sources

0 sources for · 4 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that women statistically possess better multitasking abilities than men?

No. Controlled empirical studies consistently find no evidence to support the popular belief that women possess superior multitasking abilities compared to men.

Verdict: REFUTED · 0 sources for, 4 against · Last checked 31 Jul 2026

The analysis

The claim asserts that women statistically possess better multitasking abilities than men. Multiple empirical studies (Papers 0, 1, 2, and 7) specifically tested this stereotype using various paradigms (dual-task, task-switching, everyday scenarios) and found either no significant differences or a slight advantage for men in certain concurrent tasks, directly contradicting the claim. Therefore, the evidence refutes the claim.

Evidence against · 4

Gender differences in multitasking experience and performance.

2021

The study found that men actually showed a smaller concurrent multitasking cost than women, explained by differences in processing speed.

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Lui, K. F., Yip, K. H., & Wong, A. C. (2021). Gender differences in multitasking experience and performance.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747021820960707

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More against · 3

FMRI to probe sex-related differences in brain function with multitasking.

2017

Behavioral measures revealed no performance differences between men and women in dual-tasking conditions.

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Tschernegg, M., Neuper, C., Schmidt, R., Wood, G., Kronbichler, M., Fazekas, F., Enzinger, C., & Koini, M. (2017). FMRI to probe sex-related differences in brain function with multitasking.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181554

No sex difference in an everyday multitasking paradigm.

2019

Testing participants in an everyday multitasking scenario revealed no significant sex differences across various accuracy and performance measures.

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Hirnstein, M., Larøi, F., & Laloyaux, J. (2019). No sex difference in an everyday multitasking paradigm.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-018-1045-0

Putting a stereotype to the test: The case of gender differences in multitasking costs in task-switching and dual-task situations.

2019

Experimental testing across multiple dual-task and task-switching paradigms found no performance differences between genders, contradicting the stereotype.

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Hirsch, P., Koch, I., & Karbach, J. (2019). Putting a stereotype to the test: The case of gender differences in multitasking costs in task-switching and dual-task situations.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220150

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Receipt History

first checked31 Jul 2026

judged → REFUTED · 031 Jul 2026

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