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Gender debate is not worthy in the 21st century classroom: Evidence-based outcomes from psychological abilities in students

Inuusah Mahama, Veronica Esinam Eggley, Rabbi Abu-Sadat, Benjamin Abass Ayimbire

Abstract

The debate about differences in intellectual abilities is far from over. This debate has astronomically drifted from academic success to mental possessions. In this regard, the current study examined curiosity, creativity, and academic motivation in students for possible differences in terms of gender. A total of 568 high school students were surveyed using a cross-sectional design. The data were gathered using adapted curiosity, creativity, and academic motivation scales to test for possible differences. Male and female students had similar abilities in curious, creative, and motivated potentials, according to the test MANOVA results [F (3,549) = 0.718, p > 0.610; Wilks’ Lambda = 0.993, partial eta squared = 0.007]. This could be the result of similar opportunities presented to both male and female students in their academic journey. Therefore, educational policies on gender parity should be developed to help tone down unnecessary comparisons and mental competition between male and female students in the areas of curiosity, creativity, and academic motivation.


Keywords

gender; curiosity; creativity; academic motivation; high school

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/apr.v1i1.269
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