Sex/gender differences in cognitive abilities

Sex/gender differences in cognitive sciences are riddled by conflicting perspectives. At the center of debates are clinical, social, and political perspectives. Front and center, evolutionary and biological perspectives have often focused on 'nature' arguments, while feminist and constructivist views have often focused on 'nurture arguments regarding cognitive sex differences. In the current narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview regarding the origins and historical advancement of these debates while providing a summary of the results in the field of sexually polymorphic cognition. In so doing, we attempt to highlight the importance of using transdisciplinary perspectives which help bridge disciplines together to provide a refined understanding the specific factors that drive sex differences a gender diversity in cognitive abilities. To summarize, biological sex (e. g., birth-assigned sex, sex hormones), socio-cultural gender (gender identity, gender roles), and sexual orientation each uniquely shape the cognitive abilities reviewed. To date, however, few studies integrate these sex and gender factors together to better understand individual differences in cognitive functioning. This has potential benefits if a broader understanding of sex and gender factors are systematically measured when researching and treating numerous conditions where cognition is altered.

Automated summary

Sex/gender differences in cognitive sciences are subject to conflicting perspectives, particularly in the clinical, social, and political domains. Evolutionary and biological perspectives often focus on "nature" arguments, while feminist and constructivist views center on "nurture" arguments regarding cognitive sex differences. This narrative review offers a comprehensive overview of the origins and historical development of these debates, along with a summary of the findings in the sexually polymorphic cognition field. It emphasizes the importance of transdisciplinary perspectives in bridging disciplines to gain a refined understanding of the specific factors that drive sex differences and gender diversity in cognitive abilities.