Finds that children come to preschool with some knowledge of print but do not achieve mastery until the second or third grade. Finds a significant gender effect, but different patterns of that effect for each of the concepts about print task. (RS)

Neurologist Richard M. Restak discusses empirical research that demonstrates significant brain-sex differences between males and females. He asserts that the typical primary classroom is geared to skills that come naturally to girls but develop slowly in boys, while the reverse is true in higher level science classes. (Author/WD)

Investigated the relationship between sex hormones and spatial performance among adolescents treated with sex steroids for delayed puberty. Found that spatial performance varied according to gender but did not vary with levels of actively circulating sex steroids. Reviewed physiological mechanisms, developmental periods, and past empirical work…

Investigated young African American children's stories to determine how preschoolers portray themselves and what social processes accompany these narrative portrayals of self. Found that all subjects demonstrated remarkable objective understanding of self. Girls chose to talk about self in the context of past events, whereas boys chose to talk…

Tests the distinction between inferring new categories on the basis of property information (predicted to be difficult) and inferring new properties on the basis of category information (predicted to be easier) among 57 preschool children. (HOD)

Suggests that differential rearing conditions may cause significant reversals in sex-related ability and behavior (maze learning and exploration), and may significantly affect perceptual sensitivity. (RL)

Reports a study designed to investigate the effects of gender upon the acquisition of spatial and environmental skills among primary grade children. Results showed boys performed better on complex tasks and lend support to those who argue that more extensive movements of boys through the environment leads to superior spatial ability. (Author/JDH)

Reports study findings which indicate that certain styles of family communication and mediation methods facilitate comprehension of television more effectively for boys than for girls. Also discusses differential effects of two styles of discipline on each sex. (PS)

Comparison of 384 male and 91 female autistic children (three through eight years old) revealed that females as a group scored less well on intelligence tests. Boys also performed better than girls on eye-hand integration and perceptual tasks. Predictions of female superiority in affect and receptive vocabulary were not supported. (CL)

Results of a study indicated that, as age increased from seven to 20 years, reaction time decreased, with males having a more rapid reaction time than females. Beginning at age 10 or 11, subjects developed better motor plans and relied less on rapid reaction time to achieve good anticipation time. (FG)

The association of locus of cerebral hemispheric specialization of spatial function with identity and equivalence conservation judgments was tested in a group of four- to six-year-old right-handed children (N=31). (Author/MP)

Among the many theories attempting to explain sex differences in spatial ability, one of the most highly researched is the X-linked recessive gene theory. This is a review of the major research done on that theory and shows the conflicting nature of the results. (Author)

Used a multivariate approach and longitudinal design to examine the relationship of early perceptual and cognitive development in first grade, to school achievement in fourth grade. Results indicated variables used to predict achievement differed between the sexes, and sex as a predictor variable depended upon area of achievement studying.…

The categories a person uses in describing others are related to the perceiver's own socialization experiences. Gender and generation of the respondent affect the way individuals describe people they know but not to as great a degree as previously assumed. (Author)

A total of 416 elementary school children described in writing what their grandparents meant to them. Girls were more likely than boys to mention love. Younger children reported obtaining more affective provisions (e.g., attachment and nurturance) from grandparents while older children reported more cognitive provisions (e.g., guidance and pride…