Data on Difference

Purpose:

The dominant U.S. culture often assumes that the sexes are inherently different, in behavior/feelings/abilities, as well as in sexual characteristics. How different are the sexes? In this activity, you will explore data on sex differences, as well as practice visualizing and interpreting data.

Goals:

    • To explore the nature of physical differences between the sexes (beyond sexual characteristics)

    • To introduce multiple ways of graphing data (box and whisker, line graphs, and scatterplots)

    • To practice reading graphs and interpreting data

    • To consider how representation of data shapes our understanding of the world

Procedure:

    1. Get into your color groups. Choose your roles based on your height, as follows:

        1. shortest person: recorder The recorder will take notes on the group's discussion. If anything needs to be turned in, the recorder will take care of it.

        2. second shortest: time-keeper The time-keeper makes sure the group stays focused on the activity and completes the steps on time.

        3. second tallest: presenter The presenter will speak for the group during the whole class discussion.

        4. tallest: leader The leader makes sure every voice is heard, and helps encourage the group to stay on-task

    2. I will hand out worksheets. Like the mapping activity, each individual will have their own worksheet. Each worksheet has data relating to sexual differences in behavior, mental, or physical traits. Follow the instructions on the worksheet to create a graph of your data (10 minutes)

    3. When you are finished with your graph, show it to your group. As a group, discuss your answers to the questions on the worksheet. Each individual should write down their answers on their own worksheet (15 minutes)

    4. When you are finished answering all the questions, we will discuss the graphs as a class. If you finish early, consider the following questions (which we will discuss):

        1. What traits show the most categorical difference between males and females? Why do you think that is the case?

        2. What traits show the most overlap between males and females? Why do you think that is the case?

        3. How does the representation of the data shape how we understand and think about sexual differences? For example, why is looking at a graph of SAT Math scores different from being told that there is a 50-point difference in the average score between males and females?

        4. What is the relationship between any of the differences seen in these graphs and the persistent gap in political and economic power between males and females, on average?

Take-home Messages:

    • Although our culture often portrays sex differences as categorical, in most behavioral traits there is little or no difference between males and females

    • Even physical traits show more overlap between males and females that we often assume is the case

    • The choice a scientist makes in representing his/her data can shape the interpretation of the reader

Reflection:

Take a moment to reflect on this activity. You can write in a blank area of your worksheet. You may reflect on any aspect of the activity, but if you have trouble getting started, consider answering these questions: What did you learn from this activity? Was any of the information surprising/annoying/satisfying/or emotional in any other way? Why do you think we seldom see data on male and female differences portrayed graphically in this way?