Question

In the context of gender differences in development, according to the chapter, name one way that boys and girls may differ in physical, cognitive, or social development.

A) Boys typically excel in verbal skills.
B) Girls generally show a preference for spatial tasks.
C) Boys and girls have similar rates of language acquisition.
D) Girls tend to engage in more rough-and-tumble play than boys.

Answer 1

Girls typically have a slight edge in verbal abilities, while boys might initially perform better in spatial tasks option (B); however, these differences are not significant in practical terms and can often be influenced or mitigated by cultural factors and socialization.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of gender differences in development, the correct statement is that overall, girls usually come out ahead in verbal abilities, but the difference is minimal and not significant for education or employment considerations. Conversely, while more boys might initially perform better in spatial tasks option (B), gender roles and cultural influences, such as the types of toys boys and girls are encouraged to play with, contribute to these differences. Furthermore, when girls are given time to practice, they can achieve similar levels in spatial abilities to boys. In the realm of social development, studies imply that the classroom environment may treat boys and girls differently, influencing their academic and social growth.