Sex Differences in Spatial Abilities: An Evolutionary Explanation

MacIntyre’s (1997) review of gender differences in spatial abilities overlooked findings generated by the metatheory of evolutionary psychology. This oversight reflects an underlying hostility within the social sciences towards the use of evolutionary theory in the study of human behaviour and cognition. As a remedy, this paper outlines the theoretical background of evolutionary psychology, focusing on the insights evolutionary psychology offers for cognitive gender differences research, with particular reference to gender differences in spatial abilities.