Gender-related differences in mathematics achievement : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

For many years there has been an ongoing controversy regarding whether or not males are superior to females in mathematics achievement. Although sex differences have been noted in verbal skills, spatial visualization, computational skills, problem solving abilities, anxiety, attitude toward success in mathematics, courses taken in mathematics, and the stereotyping of mathematics as a male domain, there are still discrepancies between findings of various experimental studies. It has been suggested that the variables noted may have a strong influence on mathematics achievement and ability. However, there may have been inconsistencies, design weaknesses, and other variables not considered in many of these studies that warrant a need for additional research. The purpose of this paper is to compare the results of many studies in the current literature that are designed to determine if gender-related differences in mathematics achievement can be explained by these and other variables.