Ms. Ng has a class that is half boys and half girls. Given findings on gender differences in verbal and spatial ability, which of the following is she most likely to find?
A) few if any noticeable differences in the achievement of boys and girls
B) the highest reading group will be nearly all boys, and the lowest will be nearly all girls
C) on a test of spatial ability, most of the boys will do better than most of the girls
D) boys compensate for their lower verbal ability by using their superior spatial ability
I believe the answer is C. Is this correct?
I would agree.
To determine the most likely outcome in this scenario, we need to consider the given information about gender differences in verbal and spatial ability.
According to the information provided, there are no specific details about the abilities or achievements of the students in Ms. Ng's class. However, we know that the class is composed of an equal number of boys and girls.
Based on general research findings on gender differences in verbal and spatial ability, we can make some predictions. It is important to note that these predictions are not absolute and can vary among individuals.
A) Few if any noticeable differences in the achievement of boys and girls: This option suggests that there won't be significant differences between the boys and girls in terms of their performance or achievement. Given the information about gender differences in verbal and spatial ability, this option seems unlikely because these differences have been observed in research studies.
B) The highest reading group will be nearly all boys, and the lowest will be nearly all girls: This option suggests that boys, on average, excel in reading, while girls, on average, struggle. However, based on the given information, it is not stated that the class is divided into reading groups. Therefore, this option is less likely.
C) On a test of spatial ability, most of the boys will do better than most of the girls: This option suggests that boys, on average, have better spatial ability compared to girls. Considering the gender differences in spatial ability mentioned in the question, this option is a plausible outcome. Boys, on average, tend to perform better on tests that involve spatial reasoning.
D) Boys compensate for their lower verbal ability by using their superior spatial ability: This option implies that boys have lower verbal ability compared to girls, but they make up for it with their superior spatial ability. However, the given information only states the gender distribution in Ms. Ng's class. So, there is no evidence to support this option.
Given the information provided, the most likely outcome is C) on a test of spatial ability, most of the boys will do better than most of the girls. It aligns with the known gender differences in spatial ability, which suggest that boys tend to have an advantage in this domain.