More on gender difference theory

Today's class was mostly interesting and useful. I like hearing all theories and arguments, and it's best to hear theories from it's actual proponents. I don't 100% agree with what he said, but I did appreciated his views as well as his respect.

I am reading a book right now called "Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society and Neurosexism Create Difference" by Cordelia Fine (Here on Amazon). One of the big things I really am taking from it is how studies and test results etc. aren't always what they seem. She talks about this idea of "priming" which in context means bringing something specific to the subject's attention. Usually it is an aspect of themselves, some sort of category they fall into - gender and race are great examples of what can be primed. Two important things have been figured out about priming. First, by priming something as loaded as gender you can actually shift how someone behaves and responds in a study. For example, women who are gender primed (reminded in some way of their gender) before a math exam will do worse on the exam than a control group of women who were primed with, say, their academic standing as a college student at a prestigious university. Second, to prime someone with gender can be as easy as having a gender: male or female check-box at the beginning of an exam.

Now I haven't looked up these studies, I only know of this author's summary. I have to be cautious not to blindly jump on these ideas just because I like them more than others. However - if we assume that these studies are consistent and show a real effect with this "priming," think of what that does to a grand majority of our research of gender. Many gender differences that are linked with biology (say, spatial navigation) could be completely made up! I can't say I have a serious well thought-out argument for or against anything yet. But those are just some thoughts.

I'll try to get some specific examples from this book. It's super interesting, by the way, and I highly highly recommend it!

Until next time,
Sara