Sex differences in psychology

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Sex differences in psychology are differences in the mental functions and behaviors of the sexes and are due to a complex interplay of biological, developmental, and cultural factors. Differences have been found in a variety of fields such as mental health, cognitive abilities, personality, emotion, sexuality, friendship,[1] and tendency towards aggression.[2] Such variation may be innate, learned, or both. Modern research attempts to distinguish between these causes and to analyze any ethical concerns raised. Since behavior is a result of interactions between nature and nurture, researchers are interested in investigating how biology and environment interact to produce such differences,[3][4] although this is often not possible.[4]: 36 

A number of factors combine to influence the development of sex differences, including genetics and epigenetics;[5] differences in brain structure and function;[6] hormones,[7] and socialization.[3][4][8][page needed]

The formation of gender is controversial in many scientific fields, including psychology. Specifically, researchers and theorists take different perspectives on how much of gender is due to biological, neurochemical, and evolutionary factors (nature), or is the result of culture and socialization (nurture). This is known as the nature versus nurture debate.

  1. ^ "What do men want? Gender differences and two spheres of belongingness: Comment on Cross and Madson (1997)". psycnet.apa.org.
  2. ^ "Male Aggression | Psychology Today". www.psychologytoday.com.
  3. ^ a b Lippa, Richard (2005). Gender, Nature, and Nurture (2nd ed.). Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-8058-5345-2. OCLC 60337744. [page needed]
  4. ^ a b c Halpern, Diane F. (2012). Sex differences in cognitive abilities (4 ed.). London: Routledge. ISBN 9781848729414.
  5. ^ Richardson, S.S. (2013). Sex Itself: The Search for Male and Female in the Human Genome. Chicago, US: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-08471-8. [page needed]
  6. ^ Becker, J.B., Berkley, K. J., Geary, N., & Hampson, E. (2007) Sex Differences in the Brain: From Genes to Behavior. NY: Oxford University Press.[page needed]
  7. ^ Nyborg, Helmuth (1994). Hormones, Sex, and Society. Bloomsbury. ISBN 0275946088.[page needed]
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Geary 1998 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).