
The Mathematics of Sex
How Biology and Society Conspire to Limit Talented Women and Girls
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 17. September 2009
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-19-538939-5 (ISBN)
Description
Even though women consistently receive better grades in math and science, men excel on math aptitude tests and are greatly overrepresented in the so-called hard sciences. The Mathematics of Sex explores why males are overrepresented in mathematically intensive professions such as physics, computer science, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering. Bringing together for the first time important research from such diverse fields as endocrinology, economics, sociology, education, genetics, and psychology, the authors show that two factors--the parenting choices women (but not men) have to make, and the tendency of bright women to choose people-oriented fields like medicine--largely account for the under-representation of women in the hard sciences. Further, research shows that biology itself--differences in hormones or brain organization--does not fully account for the problem. Compressing an enormous amount of information--over 400 studies--into a readable, engaging account suitable for parents, educators, and policymakers, this book advances the debate about women in science unlike any other book before it.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
figures and tables
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
599 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-538939-5 (9780195389395)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Stephen J. Ceci | Wendy M. Williams
The Mathematics of Sex
How Biology and Society Conspire to Limit Talented Women and Girls
E-Book
09/2009
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€19.49
Available for download

Stephen J. Ceci | Wendy M. Williams
The Mathematics of Sex
How Biology and Society Conspire to Limit Talented Women and Girls
E-Book
09/2009
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€14.99
Available for download
Persons
Stephen J. Ceci is Carr Professor of Developmental Psychology at Cornell University.
Wendy M. Williams is a Professor in the Department of Human Development at Cornell University.
Wendy M. Williams is a Professor in the Department of Human Development at Cornell University.
Content
Preface: Setting the Stage ; 1. Why Care About Women in Science? ; 2. A Multidimensional Problem ; 3. Opening Arguments: Environment ; 4. Opening Arguments: Biology ; 5. Challenges to the Environmental Position ; 6. Challenges to the Biological Position ; 7. Background and Trend Data ; 8. Comparisons Across Societies, Cultures, and Developmental Stages ; 9. Conclusions and Synthesis ; 10. What Next? Research and Policy Recommendations ; Epilogue ; References