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The Annoyingly Indeterminate Effects Of Sex Differences, Deborah M. Weiss

Deborah M. Weiss

(Previously circulated as "The Paradox of Statistical Discrimination.")At present, men and women have different distributions of certain aptitudes and personality traits. A growing body of research suggests that some of these differences have some biological basis, although these distribution differences do not always conform neatly to traditional stereotypes, and cultural factors also contribute. A heritable basis for difference, however, has frustratingly indeterminate implications. It suggests that some occupational segregation is not caused by discrimination. At the same time, a statistical aptitude or temperament difference will almost inevitably cause discrimination in professions that make use of that aptitude or temperament. This …