MAGNITUDE OF SEX-DIFFERENCES IN SPATIAL ABILITIES - A METAANALYSIS AND CONSIDERATION OF CRITICAL VARIABLES

In recent years, the magnitude, consistency, and stability across time of cognitive sex differences have been questioned. The present study examined these issues in the context of spatial abilities. A metaanaly sis of 286 effect sizes from a variety of spatial ability measures was conducted. Effect sizes were partitioned by the specific test used an d by a number of variables related to the experimental procedure in or der to achieve homogeneity. Results showed that sex differences are si gnificant in several tests but that some interest differences exist. P artial support was found for the notion that the magnitude of sex diff erences has decreased in recent years. Finally, it was found that the age of emergence of sex differences depends on the test used. Results are discussed with regard to their implications for the study of sex d ifferences in spatial abilities.