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From: flink@umcp-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: math differences
Message-ID: <7109@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 20-May-84 18:37:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.7109
Posted: Sun May 20 18:37:01 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 21-May-84 05:44:32 EDT
Organization: Univ. of Maryland, Computer Science Dept.
Lines: 20


	William Hughes said that there is insufficient evidence for the
conclusion that environment is the sole cause of observed sex differences in
math aptitude.  I disagree.  Based on our knowledge of brain function, we
have extremely good reason to doubt the existence of any sex-linked genetic
cause of such differences.  The brain is highly adaptive, in short.
Although some abilities may be "built-in", most must be learned.  Consider
this in the light of evolutionary theory.  If there are sex differences in
math ability, some evolutionary explanation is called for.  But in most of
the history of human evolution, there was little need for specifically
mathematical ability at all, much less any survival value to sex differences
in math ability.  The ability to do math is a very specific form of behavior
which receives no direct influence from evolutionary pressures.  The only
feasible way to provide for such ability genetically was to have a highly
adaptible brain.  Thus, we have good theoretical reasons to doubt that there
are genetic differences between the sexes in mathematical ability, or any
other particular area of intelligence.

				The aspiring iconoclast is back!
				--Paul Torek, ..umcp-cs!flink