A simple four-question test revealed females scored higher than males on mentalising – the ability to pick up on subtle behavioural clues that can indicate what a person is thinking but not actually saying. Some 2,900 people in the UK and US completed the study, designed by psychologists from universities in Bath, Cardiff and London.

Results were scored from four, indicating poor mind-reading skills, up to the highest mark of 16. The average was between 12 and 13, but men scored 12.1 while women recorded 12.6.

Dr Punit Shah, from the University of Bath, said: “Much of how we communicate relies on our understanding of what others are thinking, yet this is a surprisingly complex process that not everyone can do.

“To understand this psychological process, we needed to separate mind-reading from empathy. Mind-reading refers to understanding what other people are thinking, whereas empathy is all about understanding what others are feeling.”

Dr Shah added: “We consistently find that females reported greater mind-reading abilities.”

The researchers say the difference in mind-reading ability can cause challenges, in particular for people with autism where it can lead to struggles in social relationships.

Rachel Clutterbuck, also of the University of Bath, said: “This work has great potential to better understand the lived experience of people with mind-reading difficulties, such as those with autism.”

She said it would help clinicians to identify those who may benefit from intervention.

The findings, as well as the test, have been published in the US journal Psychological Assessment.

The questionnaire is available here.