Two processing abilities used to solve spatial problems are examined: (1) the analog ability of structural visualization; and (2) the non-analog ability of verbal analytic reasoning. The distinction is based on an evaluation of information processing theory and a review of process-oriented studies of individual differences. Criteria are presented…

Tested the hypothesis that sex differences in patterns of cognitive ability could be accounted for by variation in identification with sex-role stereotypes. Males performed better on tests of spatial ability, and females performed better on tests of fluent production. The study's hypothesis, however, was not supported. (GC)

Relates the development of theories concerning gender differences in mental ability and reexamines them using meta-analysis. Finds that the greatest difference is in one type of spatial ability, mental rotation. There is only a small difference in mathematical performance, and no difference in verbal ability. (DM)

Spatial span (Corsi's block tapping) and verbal span (Wechsler Digits Forward) were measured in 1113 children (ages 4-10) from urban and rural districts of Italy. The urban group performed significantly better on both tests. Sex differences, favoring boys, were found only on the spatial span test. (Author/SJL)

Sixty-four 3- and 4-year-olds were asked to identify another's view of a spatial array either verbally or by picture selection. Results indicate that verbalization leads to substantially more correct responses. Girls' performance was significantly better than boys' performance across both response modes. (Author/DB)

Nine experiments were performed to verify and extend studies on sex differences in problem solving conducted in the 1950s by Sweeney, Carey, Milton, Nakamura, and Berry. A 20-item problem set was administered to over 1,000 college students. Results indicated a male advantage, averaging 35 percent, virtually identical with 1950s results. (Author/BS)

Focusing on activity preferences at home rather than activity preferences in nursery school, this study examined the relationship between preschoolers' daily activities and spatial abilities. Parents of 52 preschoolers recorded their children's home activities for 7 days. Children were given three measures of spatial ability and one vocabulary…

Examined the expectancies of success, evaluations of performance, and achievement-related attributions about tasks that typically show sex differences. Results suggest that there are generalized, rather than task specific, sex differences in achievement expectancies, evaluations, and attributions. (Author/GC)

There is a growing awareness among researchers that the magnitude of cognitive sex differences is affected by a number of subject variables. To examine spatial and verbal cognitive sex differences as a function of personal and family handedness, the 478 offspring who participated in the Minnesota family study and 454 offspring who participated in…

Although the most desired attributes of a geographer are spatial perception and verbal ability, research reveals that each sex consistently demonstrates superiority in only one of the abilities. In the United States females score significantly higher in verbal abilities and males score significantly higher in spatial abilities. The differences are…

Sex differences in spatial visualization ability accounted for sex differences in mathematical ability for a group of college students. With spatial visualization statistically controlled, no significant sex differences in Quantitative Scholastic Aptitude Test scores were found. Males were more predictable than females due to higher spatial…

This study applied meta-analysis techniques to the gender studies cited by Maccoby and Jacklin and assessed the magnitude of cognitive gender differences. Results indicated that gender differences in verbal, quantitative, and visual-spatial ability were very small. (Author/APM)

A number of measures were examined as predictors of graduate students' achievement in inferential statistics courses. The most important predictor variable set was attitudes toward feminist issues. Other predictors included mathematics attitude and masculinity-femininity. Sex-related differences were found on all variables except verbal and…

A cross-cultural quantitative review of contemporary findings of gender differences in variability in verbal, mathematics, and spatial abilities finds that the well-established U.S. finding of considerably greater male variability in mathematical and spatial abilities is not invariant across countries and cultures. (SLD)

Although sex differences in research have received considerable attention, few researchers have examined the bias, social context, and process of that research. In analyzing sex differences in academic achievement over the past 10 years, three areas (mathematics, spatial ability, and verbal ability) would appear to establish consistent sex…