The Science on Women and Science

by Sommers, Christina Hoff

• ISBN13: 9780844742816
• ISBN10: 0844742813
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-16
• Publisher: Aei Press

Summary

Women have achieved or exceeded parity with men in most academic fields but continue to be outnumbered in the physical sciences, engineering, and math. For many equity activists, this imbalance constitutes a serious problem, even a "crisis," necessitating federal oversight to prevent gender bias in higher education and scientific industries. Congress, the Obama administration, and many science and education leaders are considering dramatic measures to improve women's prospects in the sciences. But what if claims of gender bias have been exaggerated?

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Science on Women in Science	p. 1
Notes	p. 5
References	p. 6
Why So Few Women in Math and Science?	p. 7
Sex Differences in the General Population	p. 11
Female Advantage in Empathy	p. 15
Culture and Biology	p. 18
Conclusions	p. 18
Notes	p. 20
References	p. 21
Gender, Math, and Science	p. 24
Gender Differences in Intrinsic Aptitude for Math and Science?	p. 25
Gender Differences in Intrinsic Motivation for Mathematics and Science?	p. 38
Toward an Understanding of the Gender Gap	p. 40
Conclusions and Prospects	p. 44
Notes	p. 45
References	p. 48
A History of Structural Barriers to Women in Science: From Stone Walls to Invisible Walls	p. 54
Renaissance Men and Science	p. 55
Renaissance Women and Science	p. 57
Access to Education for American Women in Science	p. 59
Employment for Women Scientists	p. 61
Advancement Opportunities	p. 64
Receiving Appropriate Recognition for Scientific Accomplishments	p. 65
Addressing Gender Inequality in Science: A Structural Approach	p. 69
Notes	p. 74
References	p. 76
Sex, Science, and the Economy	p. 79
Notes	p. 97
References	p. 100
Low Numbers: Stereotypes and the Underrepresentation of Women in Math and Science	p. 104
Stereotype Threat	p. 107
Stereotype Threat in the Real World	p. 114
"Controversial" Issues in Stereotype Threat	p. 117
Conclusion: The Grand Experiment	p. 125
Notes	p. 127
References	p. 129
Stereotype Threat: A Case of Overclaim Syndrome?	p. 132
Relative Magnitude	p. 137
The Skill Baseline	p. 148
The Scope of ST's Influence	p. 150
Cherry-Picking: The Selective Operation of ST	p. 153
ST Study Design: Answering the Unanswered Questions	p. 154
ST and the Problem of Pervasive Disparity	p. 158
Notes	p. 162
References	p. 167
An Evolutionary Twist on Sex, Mathematics, and the Sciences	p. 170
Evolution	p. 171
Human Evolution	p. 175
Evolution, Mathematics, and the Sciences	p. 178
Sex Differences	p. 181
Conclusion	p. 183
Notes	p. 185
References	p. 187
Cognition and the Brain: Sex Matters	p. 190
Uncertainty in the Field	p. 191
Certainty at the NAS	p. 193
Some Relevant Brain Data	p. 195
Offense and Myth	p. 197
Conclusion	p. 198
Notes	p. 200
References	p. 201
Women, Men, and the Sciences	p. 202
The Biology of Sex Determination	p. 203
Sex Differences in Cognitive and Behavioral Functions	p. 206
Cross-Generational and Cross-Cultural Comparisons	p. 221
Behavioral Sex Difference in Infants	p. 226
Biological Influences in Early Life on Behavioral Sex Differences	p. 227
Individual Differences in Hormone Levels and Cognitive Abilities	p. 236
Fluctuations within Individuals in Hormones and Cognition	p. 238
Sex Differences in the Brain	p. 242
Men and Women: Values, Interests, and Talents	p. 247
Talents and Achievements	p. 250
Facts and Fictions about Women in Science	p. 256
Conclusions	p. 258
Appendix to Chapter 9	p. 260
Notes	p. 261
References	p. 267
Conclusion: Why It All Matters and What Is To Be Done	p. 285
Notes	p. 297
References	p. 299
Index	p. 301
About the Authors	p. 325
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