Uncovering sex/gender differences of arithmetic in the human brain: Insights from fMRI studies

Abstract

Over the long run, STEM fields had been perceived as dominant by males, despite that numerous studies have shown that female students do not underperform their male classmates in mathematics and science. In this review, we discuss whether and how sex/gender shows specificity in arithmetic processing using a cognitive neuroscience approach not only to capture contemporary differences in brain and behavior but also to provide exclusive brain bases knowledge that is unseen in behavioral outcomes alone. We begin by summarizing studies that had examined sex differences/similarities in behavioral performance of mathematical learning, with a specific focus on large‐scale meta‐analytical data. We then discuss how the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach can contribute to understanding neural mechanisms underlying sex‐specific effects of mathematical learning by reviewing structural and functional data. Finally, we close this review by proposing potential research issues for further exploration of the sex effect using neuroimaging technology. Through the lens of advancement in the neuroimaging technique, we seek to provide insights into uncovering sex‐specific neural mechanisms of learning to inform and achieve genuine gender equality in education.

Inter-individual, hemispheric and sex variability of brain activations during numerosity processing

“…They speculated that females may rely more on algorithmic calculations and procedural strategies, while males may use faster rote-fact retrieval, estimation, and insight strategies during mathematical problem-solving. Despite of these inconsistent findings in brain activity patterns between males and females, the prevailing explanation for the sex differences has been attributed to the use of different cognitive strategies by men and women, thereby activating different brain regions (Chang et al 2022 ). Given the close relationship between non-symbolic and symbolic number perception and mathematic performance (Mazzocco et al 2011 ; Libertus et al 2011 ; Starr et al 2013 ; Tibber et al 2012 ; Anobile et al 2016 , 2018 ), it is plausible that the observed sex differences in non-symbolic number perception could contribute to sex differences in certain high-level mathematical abilities or, at the least, these abilities may covary.…”

Arithmetic problem size modulates brain activations in females but not in males

“…It is noteworthy to highlight that our study is in line with the majority of the previous research that behaviour assessment (cf. Chang et al, 2022; Hyde, 2014) and task‐dependent neuroimaging studies (Keller & Menon, 2009; Pletzer, 2016) have reported no differences between females and males in either accuracy or reaction times. These results demonstrated that while males and females can utilize distinct cognitive strategies and exhibit different brain response profiles, they are capable of achieving a comparable level of behavioural performance.…”

“…It is noteworthy to highlight that our study is in line with the majority of the previous research that behaviour assessment (cf. Chang et al, 2022;Hyde, 2014) and taskdependent neuroimaging studies (Keller & Menon, 2009;Pletzer, 2016) have reported no differences between females and males in either accuracy or reaction times.…”

“…Over the past decades, empirical studies have reached the consensus that males and females perform equally well in arithmetic learning and mathematical achievement (Chang et al, 2022;Hyde, 2014). Using large-scale metaanalytical analyses approach over millions of global participants, multiple studies have shown that sex/gender effects in mathematical performance, regardless of the contents, are subtle and negligible (Hyde et al, 1990(Hyde et al, , 2008Lindberg et al, 2010).…”

Inter-individual, hemispheric and sex variability of brain activations during numerosity processing

“…They speculated that females may rely more on algorithmic calculations and procedural strategies, while males may use faster rote-fact retrieval, estimation, and insight strategies during mathematical problem-solving. Despite of these inconsistent findings in brain activity patterns between males and females, the prevailing explanation for the sex differences has been attributed to the use of different cognitive strategies by men and women, thereby activating different brain regions (Chang et al 2022). Given the close relationship between non-symbolic and symbolic number perception and mathematic performance (Mazzocco et al 2011;Libertus et al 2011;Starr et al 2013;Tibber et al 2012;Anobile et al 2016Anobile et al , 2018, it is plausible that the observed sex differences in non-symbolic number perception could contribute to sex differences in certain high-level mathematical abilities or, at the least, these abilities may covary.…”