David Reilly|David L. Neumann
Gender-Role Differences in Spatial Ability: A Meta-Analytic Review
Griffith University|Griffith University
although genderrelated differences highly gender typed cognitive abilities considerable interest educators cognitive researchers alike relatively little progress made understanding psychological processes lead nash 1979 proposed genderrole mediation hypothesis differences particular emphasis spatial ability however changes gender equality gender stereotypes decades since merit reexamination whether genderrole association still holds feingold 1988 metaanalysis 12 studies examined genderrole identity mental rotation performance conducted included studies united kingdom canada poland croatia united states america mean effect size masculinity r 30 men r 23 women association found femininity mental rotation effect size slightly larger found previously signorella jamison 1986 exceeds many factors known influence spatial ability implications genderrole mediation gender differences discussed future research directions identified