Do Great Minds Think Alike? High-Ability Male and Female Students’ Perceptions of Mathematics

Abstract

Many researchers have debated potential differences between male and female students’ mathematical performance. One important factor that can impact performance is perception of the content. The purpose of the study is to investigate factors that impact high-ability male and female students’ perspectives of mathematics. Participants ( n = 12; n f = 5, n m = 7) attended a 10-day residential summer camp during which the researchers conducted individual, semistructured interviews with each participant. Using a thematic analysis, the researchers examined the interview transcripts for themes by gender. Six common themes emerged between male and female students: perseverance, performance, self-efficacy, enjoyment of content, social component, and life relevance. Female students reported that adult influence was also a factor. Further examination showed that female students are more likely to report enjoyment of content as a factor, whereas males are more likely to report perseverance and performance.