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Do gender differences in spatial skills mediate gender differences in mathematics among high-ability students?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

M. Beth Casey
Affiliation:
Department of Counseling and Developmental Psychology and Research Methods, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167. caseyb@bcvms.bc.edu

Abstract

Based on Geary's theory, intelligence may determine which males utilize innate spatial knowledge to inform their mathematical solutions. This may explain why math gender differences occur mainly with higher abilities. In support, we found that mental rotation ability served as a mediator of gender differences on the math Scholastic Assessment Test for two high-ability samples. Our research suggests, however, that environment and biology interact to influence mental rotation abilities.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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