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Sex Differences in Mathematical Ability: Fact or Artifact?

Camilla Persson Benbow, Julian C. Stanley

Abstract

A substantial sex difference in mathematical reasoning ability (score on the mathematics test of the Scholastic Aptitude Test) in favor of boys was found in a study of 9927 intellectually gifted junior high school students. Our data contradict the hypothesis that differential course-taking accounts for observed sex differences in mathematical ability, but support the hypothesis that these differences are somewhat increased by environmental influences.

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Key concepts: Aptitude, Artifact (error), Test (biology), Psychology, Mathematics education, Differential (mechanical device), Developmental psychology, Biology