Sex Differences in Mathematics Achievement and Attitude toward Mathematics

Abstract

In a study of sex differences in mathematics achievement and attitude toward mathematics, a sample of 278 Standard 10 (Grade 12) students (95 boys and 183 girls) from seven senior secondary schools in the Umtata district of Transkei, South Africa, wrote tests in algebra and geometry and completed an attitude questionnaire. Analysis showed no significant difference between the mean scores of boys and girls in algebra but a significant difference between scores in geometry, with the mean score of boys being greater than that of girls. There was no significant difference between the mean scores of boys and girls on the Attitude Toward Mathematics scale, although boys had a significantly more positive Attitude Toward Geometry than girls. Significant low correlations were found between scores on Attitudes Toward Mathematics and scores in mathematics and between scores on Attitudes Toward Geometry and scores in geometry.