provide a convincing case for the importance of biological variables, and that earlier
reviews were, of course, unable to consider these findings, Other reviewers were
sometimes quick to dismiss inconsistent theories and experimental results as symp-
tomatic of a chaotic field of investigation. If they had reviewed the inconsistencies,
they would have found that many of them are resolvable and that some of the theo-
ries and research could be eliminated because they had become outdated or had not
received experimental support, thereby reducing the dissonance in the literature. Al-
though there is still much that we don't know in this area, plausible conclusions
based on the information that is currently available can be made.

This book was written with a broad audience in mind--bright undergraduates
and graduates and their professors and general readers who are intrigued with the
questions and answers about cognitive sex differences. It could serve as a supple-
mental book in many courses in psychology and other fields. The other issues
raised in this book are appropriately addressed in introductory psychology, sociol-
ogy, education, philosophy, human development, and biology courses. It is also
appropriate for advanced courses in sex roles, sex differences, human genetics,
child and adult development, education theory and research, social psychology
and physiological psychology because of the broad perspective needed in under-
standing cognitive sex differences.

The topics addressed vary in their complexity, with brain-behavior relation-
ships more difficult to explain than psychosocial influences on the development of
cognition. My goal was to make even the advanced topics in biology and statistics
comprehensive without oversimplifying multifaceted relationships or losing sight
of the fact that the problems are complex. The topics addressed in this book go far
beyond the usual "pop" coverage found in the popular press. I hope that despite my
efforts to emphasize serious research and conceptual issues, I have been able to
convey to readers some of my fascination with one of the most controversial and
politically charged topics in modern psychology, the psychology of cognitive sex
differences.

-xviii-