Sex and Psychology

Research on biological sex and psychology investigates cognitive and behavioral differences between men and women. This research employs experimental tests of cognition, which take a variety of forms. Tests focus on possible differences in areas such as IQ, spatial reasoning, aggression, emotion, and brain structure and function.

Most IQ tests are constructed so that there are no overall score differences between females and males. Areas where differences have been found include verbal and mathematical ability.

Because social and environmental factors affect brain activity and behavior, where differences are found, it can be difficult for researchers to assess whether or not the differences are innate. Studies on this topic explore the possibility of social influences on how both sexes perform in cognitive and behavioral tests. Stereotypes about differences between men and women have been shown to affect a person's behavior. Common stereotypes characterize men as aggressive and logical, and characterize women as emotionally sensitive and irrational.

Read more about Sex And Psychology:  History, General Theories, General Differences in Physical Brain Parameters, Biological Factors Involved in Gender Identity, Sexual Behavior, IQ, Mathematics, Spatial Abilities, Memory, Aggression, Personality Tests, Empathy, Emotion, Avoidance or Approach To Moderately Negative Stimuli, Happiness, Mental Health, Controversies

Famous quotes containing the word psychology:

    Whatever else American thinkers do, they psychologize, often brilliantly. The trouble is that psychology only takes us so far. The new interest in families has its merits, but it will have done us all a disservice if it turns us away from public issues to private matters. A vision of things that has no room for the inner life is bankrupt, but a psychology without social analysis or politics is both powerless and very lonely.
    Joseph Featherstone (20th century)