ARE THERE SEX-DIFFERENCES IN GEOGRAPHIC KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Research by both geographers and psychologists suggests that there are differences in females' and males' everyday geographic and spatial kn owledge. These differences in knowledge have been attributed to varian ces in biology and hormonal levels; differences in social status, cult ure and education; and differences in the ability to answer questions and think about geographic space. This paper examines these theories a nd explores the everyday geographic knowledge of females and males usi ng both quantitative exercises and qualitative interviews. In contrast to most studies, only a few minor differences were found between fema les' and males' knowledge, their ability to answer the questions set a nd the strategies of spatial thought employed and it is suggested that any differences found between the sexes in other studies are due to s ocio-cultural factors reinforcing gender stereotypes.