John Dewey, PSY 360 Do Significant Innate Differences Influence the Success of Males and Females? Are male and female brains so genetically distinct that the differences account for specific developmental outcomes? There seem to be two levels to this issue-one is about actual cognitive abilities, and the other is about how to discuss group differences. In regard to cognitive abilities, it does seem likely that there are sex differences in cognitive ability-some of which favor men and some of which favor women. But, in regard to discussing group differences, it does not seem likely that discussing those differences as causing specific developmental outcomes is valid. Thus, my initial position is no: significant innate differences do not influence the success of males and females. In the readings on this issue Pinker notes three possible explanations for the fact that only 20% of scientists in "hard science" disciplines are women, the second of which "is that gender disparities...