Gender Differences in Human Cognition

by Richardson, John T. E.; Caplan, Paula J.; Crawford, Mary; Hyde, Janet Shibley

• ISBN13: 9780195112900
• ISBN10: 0195112903
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-09-04
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

For years, both psychologists and the general public have been fascinated with the notion that there are gender differences in cognitive abilities; even now, flashy cover stories exploiting this idea dominate major news magazines, while research focuses on differences in verbal, mathematical, spatial, and scientific abilities across gender. This new volume in the Counterpoints series not only summarizes and addresses the validity (or invalidity) of such research, but also questions its ideology and consequences. Why do we search so intently for these differences? And what are the socialand cultural implications of this relentless emphasis? Do biological mechanisms, in fact, contribute to the male-female differences in cognition? These are just a few of the questions generated by this controversial topic as it is debated throughout the book.

Table of Contents

Contributors	ix
1. Introduction to the Study of Gender Differences in Cognition	3	(30)
JOHN T. E. RICHARDSON
2. Gender Differences in Cognition: Results from Meta-Analyses	30	(22)
JANET SHIBLEY HYDE
NITA M. MCKINLEY
3. Do Sex-Related Cognitive Differences Exist, and Why Do People Seek Them Out?	52	(29)
PAULA J. CAPLAN
JEREMY B. CAPLAN
4. The Meanings of Difference: Cognition in Social and Cultural Context	81	(50)
MARY CRAWFORD
ROGER CHAFFIN
5. Conclusions from the Study of Gender Differences in Cognition	131	(40)
JOHN T. E. RICHARDSON
Author Index	171	(8)
Subject Index	179