Question 1

Boys are to girls as _____ is to _____.

Accepted Answer

The analogy between boys and girls is based on the XX/XY sex chromosome system in humans. Boys have an XY chromosome while girls have an XX chromosome. Therefore, the best analogy for this would be between two sex chromosome abnormalities. Klinefelter's syndrome is a genetic disorder where males have an extra X chromosome (XXY) and Turner's syndrome is a genetic disorder where females only have one X chromosome (X0). Thus, D is the correct answer as it uses Klinefelter's (males with an extra X chromosome) and Turner's (females with only one X chromosome) syndromes as the analogy for boys and girls.

Question 2

Based on the information provided in the textbook, the most reasonable position to take with respect to the source of gender differences in cognition is probably:

Accepted Answer

The most reasonable position to take with respect to the source of gender differences in cognition is an interactionist position. This means that both nature and nurture factors interact to shape cognitive differences between genders. Genetics, hormones, and brain structure differences may contribute to cognitive differences, but environmental and social factors also play a role. Therefore, it is important to consider both biological and environmental factors when analyzing gender differences in cognition.

Question 3

Cherney's (2008) participants practiced mentally rotating objects while playing computer games. Cherney found that:

Accepted Answer

Cherney's study found that female participants benefited more from the practice of mentally rotating objects while playing computer games.

Question 4

Of the differences of sexual development mentioned in the text, the rarest is _____, whereas the MOST common is _____.

Accepted Answer

Klinefelter's syndrome is the most common sex chromosome disorder in males, while 5-alpha reductase deficiency is much rarer.

Question 5

Approximately _____% of infants have differences of sex development at birth.

Accepted Answer

Approximately 1% of infants have differences of sex development at birth, meaning their anatomy or chromosomes do not fit typical male or female categories. This can include conditions such as ambiguous genitalia, chromosome abnormalities, and hormonal imbalances. It is important for healthcare providers to provide sensitive and appropriate care for these infants and their families.

Question 6

Compared to the brains of adult females, the brains of adult males are:

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that, on average, adult male brains are approximately 10% larger than adult female brains. However, it is important to note that brain size does not necessarily correlate with intelligence or cognitive abilities.

Question 7

Which statement is most accurate with respect to potential differences in verbal ability between boys and girls?

Accepted Answer

While there have been some studies that have found no difference or even a slight advantage for boys, the majority of research suggests that girls tend to perform better in verbal ability tasks. However, this difference is generally small rather than large. Therefore, the most accurate statement would be that there is a small difference favoring girls.

Question 8

According to the gender similarities hypothesis, researchers are LEAST likely to find gender differences in:

Accepted Answer

The gender similarities hypothesis, proposed by psychologist Janet Hyde, suggests that males and females are similar on most, but not all, psychological variables. Among the options provided, researchers are least likely to find gender differences in personality characteristics, as this area shows more similarities than differences between genders. Aggression, sexual behavior, and motor skills have all been areas where research has found more consistent and notable gender differences.

Question 9

Male superiority is to female superiority as _____ is to _____.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that, on average, males tend to perform better on spatial ability tasks, while females tend to perform better on verbal ability tasks.

Question 10

Mohammed is male; Sonya is female. The textbook's discussion suggests that all else being equal:

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that, on average, males outperform females on mental rotation tasks, while no significant gender differences have been found on verbal tasks. Therefore, Mohammed should outperform Sonya on mental rotation tasks, but not necessarily on verbal tasks.

Question 11

Which is the MOST common difference of sexual development?

Accepted Answer

Klinefelter's syndrome is the most common difference of sexual development, occurring in approximately 1 in 1000 live male births. It is caused by an extra X chromosome, resulting in individuals with XXY karyotypes. This can lead to a range of physical and hormonal differences, including reduced testosterone production and infertility. A, B, and C are also differences of sexual development, but are less common than Klinefelter's syndrome.

Question 12

A(n) _____ individual has ambiguous or inconsistent indicators of male or female in the sexual structures or organs.

Accepted Answer

An intersexual individual is born with ambiguous or inconsistent indicators of male or female in the sexual structures or organs. Homosexual describes someone who is emotionally and physically attracted to the same gender. Transsexual refers to a person who identifies as a gender opposite to their biological sex, and may undergo medical interventions to change their physical appearance. Transgender is an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Question 13

Researchers have NOT found male-female differences in:

Accepted Answer

Researchers have not found consistent male-female differences in general intelligence. Studies show that while there may be differences in specific cognitive abilities or preferences, overall intelligence does not differ significantly between genders.

Question 14

_____ someone is NOT an example of relational aggression.

Accepted Answer

Slapping is an example of physical aggression, not relational aggression. The other three options all involve using social interactions to harm someone's relationships and social standing.

Question 15

The outdated term "hermaphrodite" has been replaced by the term:

Accepted Answer

The outdated term "hermaphrodite" is no longer used as it is considered offensive and stigmatizing. The term intersexual is now used to describe people born with physical sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, genitals, and/or reproductive organs) that are not exclusively male or female.

Question 16

Which is the poorest predictor of mathematics performance among children?

Accepted Answer

Gender is the poorest predictor of mathematics performance among children as research indicates that there is no significant difference in mathematical ability between boys and girls. Factors such as mother's education, school effectiveness, and home learning environment have a greater impact on a child's performance in math.

Question 17

Gender differences in cognition have _____ over the past several decades.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that gender differences in cognition have decreased over the past several decades. Studies have found that the gender gap in areas such as math, spatial reasoning, and verbal abilities has narrowed, and in some cases, even disappeared. This may be due to factors such as increased access to education for women and a shift towards more gender-neutral parenting practices.

Question 18

Suppose that on a 1-10 scale, 1 is "nature" and 10 is "nurture." Based on the textbook's discussion, aggression should be placed at about:

Accepted Answer

The textbook's discussion on aggression suggests that it is a complex behavior that is influenced by both nature and nurture. Therefore, it should be placed at a more moderate point on the scale, around 5. While genetics and biology may contribute to aggressive tendencies, environmental factors like upbringing and socialization also play a significant role in shaping aggressive behavior.

Question 19

About _____% of individual differences in aggressive behavior can be attributed to genetic factors.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that approximately 50% of individual differences in aggressive behavior can be attributed to genetic factors. The remaining 50% is influenced by environmental factors such as upbringing, life experiences, and social influences.

Question 20

Which statement BEST expresses the relationship between the terms "hermaphrodite" and "intersex"?

Accepted Answer

"Intersex" is a more modern and preferred term that encompasses a wide range of natural bodily variations. The term "hermaphrodite" is considered outdated and inaccurate for describing human conditions, as it originates from a biological term referring to organisms that have both male and female reproductive organs. "Intersex" is used to describe humans with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.

Quiz 10: Sexuality and Gender

Boys are to girls as _ is to _.