Albino Lopes

Quotient de Systématisation: une analyse factorielle exploratoire

The empathizing – systemizing theory, developed by Baron-Cohen (2002), assumes the existence of two main cognitive styles, one more characteristic of female gender (with greater capacity to empathize), and the other more characteristic of male gender (with greater capacity to systemize). To assess the systemizing concept, Baron-Cohen and his colleagues (2003) developed the Systemizing Quotient (SQ) scale. Thus, this study central aim was to validate the short version of the SQ scale (developed by Wakabayashi et al., 2006) for the Portuguese population, using a sample of 506 participants. It was carried out an exploratory factor analysis where were found two factors in the SQ scale, which were denominated by 1) Contents and 2) Processes. There was carried out a reliability and internal consistency analysis for the instrument, also proceeding to the comparison of the various groups in the sample, according to gender, education levels, and occupation types.