Final answer:
The 'thought experiment' results suggest small to non-significant gender differences in cognitive abilities and behavior, implying that perceived differences may be more social and cultural than biological. Studies by Fausto-Sterling, Hyde, and others contribute to this view, along with Kinsey's and Masters and Johnson's findings on human sexuality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The results of the thought experiment between males and females suggest that while there are some differences in sexual response and arousal patterns, with males and females showing specific arousal, the overall cognitive abilities and behavioral sex/gender differences are very small and not statistically significant in many cases. Research by Anne Fausto-Sterling and Janet Hyde, among others, indicates that a vast number of studies show no substantial difference between the cognitive abilities of boys and girls, with very small differences found in abstract reasoning, verbal and spatial abilities, and aggression versus emotional expression.
Moreover, Kinsey's research found that women are as interested and experienced in sex as men, and that sexual orientation lies on a continuum. This is supported by later research by Masters and Johnson on physiological responses during sexual behavior. It points towards a more nuanced understanding of human sexuality beyond binary categorizations. Additionally, Gilligan's work, though discredited for its small sample size, suggests that differences in behavior between males and females may be more about socialization rather than inherent moral development.
In summary, these diverse findings reflect that much of the perceived differences between males and females, particularly in cognitive abilities and social behaviors, may be culturally and socially constructed rather than biologically predetermined. The importance of considering social and cultural factors in understanding sex/gender differences is emphasized across various studies.