Sex Differences in Attitudes toward Arithmetic-Mathematics from Early Elementary School to College Levels

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Abstract
Cross-sectional samples of Ss in grades 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and college (N = 1974 for total sample) were given Dutton's scale on attitudes toward arithmetic, with “mathematics” substituted for older Ss. Unweighted means ANOVA yielded highly significant Fs for sex and grade, and an almost significant interaction between them. Females had significantly poorer attitudes than males from grade 9 on, consonant with findings on better math reasoning among males past 13. However, favorable attitudes showed consistent decline among both sexes from grade 2 to college. Significant intrasex differences occurred between grades 7 and 9 for females, but not for males. Discussion of results is integrated with earlier findings, sex-role theory, and need for remediation of female attitudes.