Neuroscience and Gender Issues in STEM Education and Among High-Ability Learners

Abstract

This chapter explores the history of sex differences studies and the newest frontier of sex differences research, neuroscience. The history of sex differences research in brain and psychometric studies foreshadows the continuation of many of the same themes in neuroscience. The primary mechanism through which stereotype threats is proposed to affect performance is the reduction of working memory capacity, as the affected individual struggles to both complete a task and work to disconfirm a salient stereotype. Sex differences research, the media reports that trumpet the results of neuroscience findings of sex differences may play an important role in activating stereotype threat and discouraging gifted girls from fulfilling their potential in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and other male stereotyped domains. The chapter discusses the treatment of sex differences in psychometric and brain studies undermine the talent development of gifted boys, girls, through stereotype threat, gendered education, inappropriate career guidance, lack of support for nontraditional paths to fulfillment of potential.