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. 2010 Oct 1;19(5):275-279.
doi: 10.1177/0963721410383241.

Sex Differences in Math-Intensive Fields

Stephen J Ceci  1 , Wendy M Williams
Affiliations

Sex Differences in Math-Intensive Fields

Stephen J Ceci et al. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. .

Abstract

Despite impressive employment gains in many fields of science, women remain underrepresented in fields requiring intensive use of mathematics. Here we discuss three potential explanations for women's underrepresentation: (a) male-female mathematical and spatial ability gaps, (b) sex discrimination, and (c) sex differences in career preferences and lifestyle choices. Synthesizing findings from psychology, endocrinology, sociology, economics, and education leads to the conclusion that, among a combination of interrelated factors, preferences and choices-both freely made and constrained-are the most significant cause of women's underrepresentation.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mean GRE-Quantitative scores of 480 Cornell graduate students in math-intensive fields for the year 2006. (Overall mean = 760)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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