Have sex differences in spatial ability evolved from male competition for mating and female concern for survival?

Ecuyer-Dab, Isabelle; Robert, Michèle

doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2003.09.007

Cited by 132 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 150 publications

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“…However, Ecuyer-Dab & Robert (2004) have noted that there are two competing evolutionary interpretations of these differences. They may be part of the primitive systems supporting sex differences in ranging and mate seeking (Gaulin & FitzGerald 1986, Jones et al 2003, or they may be derived specifically to support hunting by men and gathering by women (Silverman & Eals 1992).…”

Section: Some Evidence From Adult Men and Womenmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Early Development of Gender Differences

McIntyre

Edwards

2009

Annu. Rev. Anthropol.

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This article reviews findings from anthropology, psychology, and other disciplines about the role of biological factors in the development of sex differences in human behavior, including biological theories, the developmental course of sex differences, and the interaction of biological and cultural gendering processes at different ages. Current evidence suggests that major biological influences on individual differences in human gender, to the extent that they exist, operate primarily in early development, during and especially prior to puberty. Biological effects are likely to be mediated by relatively simple processes, like temperament, which are then elaborated through social interactions (as with mother and peers) into more complex gendered features of adult personality. Biological anthropologists and psychologists interested in gender should direct more attention to understanding how social processes influence the development and function of the reproductive endocrine system.

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Section: Some Evidence From Adult Men and Womenmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Early Development of Gender Differences

McIntyre

Edwards

2009

Annu. Rev. Anthropol.

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“…For example, it is a well-established fact that male and female children usually perform differently on tests that measure recall of conditions at places and connections between places. In general, females do better with conditions, males with connections (for reviews of different parts of this extensive literature, see Lehnung et al 2003;and Ecuyer-Dab and Robert 2004). What is not known is why these differences occur and what should be done about them.…”

Section: Conditions and Connections: The Basic Facts Of Geographymentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Thinking by Young Children: Neurologic Evidence for Early Development and “Educability”

Gersmehl

2007

Journal of Geography

125

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“…It has been hypothesized that sex differences in visuospatial cognition have been influenced by male-male competition and other sex differences during human evolutionary history (Ecuyer-Dab & Robert, 2004;Geary, 1998;Sherry & Hampson, 1997). If the male advantage in visuospatial abilities and in some other areas of spatial cognition are related to sexual selection, then the proximate expression of these sex differences is predicted to be related to prenatal or postnatal exposure to sex hormones, particularly androgens.…”

Section: An Evolutionary Understanding Of Human Sex Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Science of Sex Differences in Science and Mathematics

Halpern

Benbow

Geary

et al. 2007

Psychol Sci Public Interest

945

696

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SummaryAmid ongoing public speculation about the reasons for sex differences in careers in science and mathematics, we present a consensus statement that is based on the best available scientific evidence. Sex differences in science and math achievement and ability are smaller for the midrange of the abilities distribution than they are for those with the highest levels of achievement and ability. Males are more variable on most measures of quantitative and visuospatial ability, which necessarily results in more males at both high-and low-ability extremes; the reasons why males are often more variable remain elusive. Successful careers in math and science require many types of cognitive abilities. Females tend to excel in verbal abilities, with large differences between females and males found when assessments include writing samples. High-level achievement in science and math requires the ability to communicate effectively and comprehend abstract ideas, so the female advantage in writing should be helpful in all academic domains. Males outperform females on most measures of visuospatial abilities, which have been implicated as contributing to sex differences on standardized exams in mathematics and science. An evolutionary account of sex differences in mathematics and science supports the conclusion that, although sex differences in math and science performance have not directly evolved, they could be indirectly related to differences in interests and specific brain and cognitive systems. We review the brain basis for sex differences in science and mathematics, describe consistent effects, and identify numerous possible correlates. Experience alters brain structures and functioning, so causal statements about brain differences and success in math and science are circular. A wide range of sociocultural forces contribute to sex differences in mathematics and science achievement and abilityincluding the effects of family, neighborhood, peer, and school influences; training and experience; and cultural practices. We conclude that early experience, biological factors, educational policy, and cultural context affect the number of women and men who pursue advanced study in science and math and that these effects add and interact in complex ways. There

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Have sex differences in spatial ability evolved from male competition for mating and female concern for survival?

Cited by 132 publications

References 150 publications

The Early Development of Gender Differences

The Early Development of Gender Differences

Spatial Thinking by Young Children: Neurologic Evidence for Early Development and “Educability”

The Science of Sex Differences in Science and Mathematics

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