LIMITATIONS OF RESEARCH ON COGNITIVE SEX-DIFFERENCES

A literature review on human sex differences in intellectual ability has been carried out. Viso-spatial, mathematical and verbal abilities have been the most notorious cited differences, only the last one favouring women. The most sizable difference can be found in viso-spatial aptitude, field in which differential research has proliferated. However, the limitations in theoretical as well as methodological grounds have led some authors to reasonably doubt wether differences exists at all (Caplan, MacPherson y Tobin, 1985). This paper analyzes some of the most relevant limitations and offers some theoretical and methodological recommendations for future researchers.