Gender Differences In Mathematics And Verbal Abilities: A Review Of Indigenous And Cultural Psychology

Indigenous and Cultural Psychology

Applied Psychology

Give the literature review on indigenous and cultural psychology?

Often it is discussed that boys are better at mathematics and girls are better at language. This, particular statement has been one of the most researched subject to understand the gender differences in the verbal ability or mathematics performance (Hyde & Linn, 1988, p. 53). In context of applied psychology, it is an interesting field to analyse and derive understanding. Purpose of this literature reviews is to critically examine the journals and white-papers on the concept of gender differences and similarities in context of applied psychology.

Applied psychology is a field which is based upon usage of psychological principles and theories in order to resolve problems in real life scenarios. There are several areas such as business management, education, health, organisational psychology and law etc. which are influenced by concepts of applied psychology. Historically, Hugo Munsterberg is considered to be one of the pioneers in the field of applied psychology. Applied psychology got a major push in 1920 when IAAP (International Association of Applied Psychology) was founded.

In this regard, use of applied psychology to understand the difference in the though process of males and females is an interesting scenario. For example, researchers have time and again tried to prove that male thought process is relatively more quantified in nature, that is why they are good in fields like mathematics, or they become a good scientist. Similarly, females are considered to be good in fields like language and it has been observed that there are fewer female scientist as compared to their male counterpart.

Based on the work by Hyde, Fennema & Lamon (1990, pp. 139-155) Gender differences in mathematics performance: a meta-analysis. An effort towards a refined assessment was made in this field. In order to understand the magnitude of the gender differences in mathematics performance, authors did a meta-analysis of 100 studies, as a result of this empirical analysis, the core finding was that there is hardly any differences in the mathematics performance of a male as compared to female. As a result of which, concept of cultural psychology can be also be investigated (Hyde et al, 1990, p. 139). Considering the fact that there is hardly any difference in the mathematical aptitude of male and female, then important question which arise is, that is this situation prominent due to the concept of cultural psychology? As a field cultural psychology is the study of how cultural behaviour are rooted and embodied in culture. Historically, females have been focused more on fields like language etc. whereas males have remain dominant in the field of mathematics and science. It is more of a cultural phenomenon rather than anything to do with thought process of male and female. In fact, today females are also present in the field of science and mathematics, even though their participation might be low mainly because of their interests in other fields. Work by Hyde & Linn (1988, pp. 53-69) Gender differences in verbal ability: A meta-analysis. Clearly indicates towards this aspect of cultural psychology. This work, clearly indicates that the difference between males and females on the concept of their participation in fields of mathematics and language respectively, there is hardly any role of gender in it. The study highlights the fact, that this difference can be attributed to the cultural or behavioral psychology which has been existing since ancient time. As a result of psychology, females have always been perceived to be excellent for soft fields such as arts, languages etc. on other hand, males have always been positioned as the one who can perform better in fields like science and mathematics. Due to this psychology, the trend has continued for so long, that literally field of science and mathematics today is dominated by males, which does not means that there are no females present in these fields. However their presence is relatively low as compared to their male counterpart, resulting into creation of a perception where it is believed that males are better in mathematics and females are better in arts and language (Hyde, 2005).

Literature Review

In the work related to analyses of gender differences there has been constant focus on traditional reviews of physiological gender differences, which used methods of narrative reviews. Which meant, that the reviewer collated as many as possible studies on gender differences, and then interpreted and provided their own findings based on the collected studies. However, such approach was unsystematic, and had several flaws in it. As a result of which authors in contemporary times, have been focusing on relatively more comprehensive and qualitative studies on this subject. Hence, methods such as the sample of studies, coding of studies, cognitive process analysis and understanding the statistical trends have become more relevant in understanding this subject (Haslam et al, 2009).

However, based on the study conducted, and empirical evidence collected authors such as Hyde & Linn in their work on Gender differences in verbal ability; A meta-analysis concluded that the magnitude of the gender differences in verbal ability is currently so less, that it can be actually considered as 0. In fact, based on the literatures analysed, it will be not wrong to say that there is hardly any difference in the capabilities of male and female in different types of verbal abilities such as vocabulary, comprehension reading, and analogies. Similar is the case in field of mathematics and science as well. Dominance of the males in this field has nothing to do with their mental power or capability, females which were analysed are equally capable of excelling in these fields. However to a large extent due to a cultural or social psychology, females have always been considered more active in fields like language and arts, which has resulted into creation of a perception. As a result of this perception, since childhood itself, females are groomed in such a manner, that their mindset remains inclined towards fields of art and literature as compared to their male counterparts. It clearly indicates the cultural psychology behind this particular trend, and should not be seen as a brain capability of two genders.

In this context of gender difference in the fields of mathematics and verbal skills, it is also important to understand that, what exactly is the road ahead, i.e. are we still going to stick with the old model of intellect which is loosely based on only three categories of cognitive abilities, namely mathematical ability, verbal ability and spatial ability. Understanding gender differences in the field of learning on the basis of these three fields only does not makes much sense in contemporary times. That is why, researchers should come up with statistical models, which are more refined in nature, and does not depends solely on these three categories itself.

It is also important to understand that how this trend came into existence? Based on the literature review of the journals and white-papers analysed, it can be said that this trend is mainly influenced by the social as well as cultural environment in which a child lives today. One simple example in this regard is that, since their childhood, boys are given with toys and objects to tinker upon such as building blocks etc. On other hand, girls are provided with the toys like Barbie doll etc. Somewhere it can be said that this social environment nurtures and shapes the mind of male and female accordingly, where male is dominant in field of science and research, whereas females are dominant in fields of art and language (Cascio, 1987).

Indigenous and Cultural Psychology

If the cultural psychology is changes, and females are motivated to join these fields, then this trend of ratio inequality can be reversed easily. Applied psychology as a field has can be extremely helpful in understanding such situations where there is no specific answer or solution to a subject. Similarly, irrespective of the fact that how many researches and studies are conducted on this aspect of gender difference in fields like mathematics and language, it will always be difficult to come up with a specific finding as a solution for this subject.

Conclusion

Based on the literature review conducted on the selected subject, it can be said that there is no specific evidence found which can directly indicate that the gender difference in the field of mathematics and language has anything to do with physical or mental capability of male or females. However, one important aspect which comes out of this review is the impact of cultural or social psychology on this subject. Rather than finding for any empirical solution, one thing related to this subject can be definitely understood, and that is impact of social or cultural psychology. For better understanding example of boys and girls have been given in above section. It can be surely said that it is more of a cultural upbringing which impacts the psychology of an individual. If since beginning a girl is provided with toys such as building blocks, chemistry lab sets etc. then accordingly mind frame of that kid will develop towards a scientific field. Hence gender differences in these fields are more dependent on the cultural environment as compared to any sort of physical capabilities.

References

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Cascio, W. F. (1987). Applied psychology in personnel management.

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Hyde, J. S. (2005). The gender similarities hypothesis. American psychologist, 60(6), 581.

Hyde, J. S., & Linn, M. C. (1988). Gender differences in verbal ability: A meta-analysis. Psychological bulletin, 104(1), 53.

Hyde, J. S., Fennema, E., & Lamon, S. J. (1990). Gender differences in mathematics performance: a meta-analysis. Psychological bulletin, 107(2), 139.

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Rode, J. C., Judge, T. A., & Sun, J. M. (2012). Incremental validity of core self-evaluations in the presence of other self-concept traits: An investigation of applied psychology criteria in the United States and China. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 1548051812442964.