Sex differences in intelligence

Sex differences in human intelligence have long been a topic of debate among researchers and scholars. It is now recognized that there are no significant sex differences in average IQ,^[1]^[2] though particular subtypes of intelligence vary somewhat between sexes.^[3]^[4]

While some test batteries show slightly greater intelligence in males, others show slightly greater intelligence in females.^[3]^[4] In particular, studies have shown female subjects performing better on tasks related to verbal ability,^[1] and males performing better on tasks related to rotation of objects in space, often categorized as spatial ability.^[5]

Some research indicates that male advantages on some cognitive tests are minimized when controlling for socioeconomic factors.^[4] It has also been hypothesized that there is slightly higher variability in male scores in certain areas compared to female scores, leading to males' being over-represented at the top and bottom extremes of the distribution, though the evidence for this hypothesis is inconclusive.^[6]

^ ^a ^b Hunt, Earl B. (2010). Human Intelligence. Cambridge University Press. p. 389. ISBN 978-1139495110.
^ Halpern, Diane F. (2001). "Sex Difference Research – Cognitive Abilities". In Worell, Judith (ed.). Encyclopedia of Women and Gender. Elsevier Science. p. 964. ISBN 0080548490.
^ ^a ^b Hunt, Earl B. (2010). Human Intelligence. Cambridge University Press. pp. 378–379. ISBN 978-1139495110.
^ ^a ^b ^c Mackintosh N (2011). IQ and Human Intelligence. OUP Oxford. pp. 362–363. ISBN 978-0199585595.
^ Terry WS (2015). Learning and Memory: Basic Principles, Processes, and Procedures, Fourth Edition. Psychology Press. p. 356. ISBN 978-1317350873.
^ Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Hunt-1] Hunt, Earl B. (2010). Human Intelligence. Cambridge University Press. p. 389. ISBN 978-1139495110.

[:7-2] Halpern, Diane F. (2001). "Sex Difference Research – Cognitive Abilities". In Worell, Judith (ed.). Encyclopedia of Women and Gender. Elsevier Science. p. 964. ISBN 0080548490.

[Hunt_2-3] Hunt, Earl B. (2010). Human Intelligence. Cambridge University Press. pp. 378–379. ISBN 978-1139495110.

[Mackintosh-4] Mackintosh N (2011). IQ and Human Intelligence. OUP Oxford. pp. 362–363. ISBN 978-0199585595.

[Terry-5] Terry WS (2015). Learning and Memory: Basic Principles, Processes, and Procedures, Fourth Edition. Psychology Press. p. 356. ISBN 978-1317350873.

[:9-6] Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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