Final answer:
Studies generally show no significant cognitive differences between males and females, and the few small differences observed may result from cultural or social influences rather than biology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research into the psychological differences between males and females has frequently scrutinized cognitive and behavioral variations. According to Anne Fausto-Sterling's findings in Myths of Gender, the majority of studies show no significant cognitive differences between boys and girls. Studies that do find disparities often report them as very small and potentially influenced more by social and cultural factors rather than biological hardwiring. Janet Hyde's meta-analysis also reinforces this conclusion, finding minimal differences in language skills and social behavior.
The idea that males inherently excel in math and spatial skills while females are superior in language abilities has been widely challenged. In education, it is observed that biases in teachers' interactions with students could contribute to perceived differences in abilities, suggesting that social environment plays a significant role. Additionally, the presence of lurking variables that could influence observed differences in test scores indicates that many factors apart from genetics may shape individuals' competences and interests.