Gender differences in cognition may persist even after equal opportunity

 International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis - Gender disparities in cognition will not diminish

This study used data from Europe that measured the cognitive abilities of aged 50+ adults using three different tests: episodic memory, "numeracy" or mathematical ability, and categorization-ability (e.g. naming as many animals as you can in 60 seconds). Coupled with these tests were demographic, economic, and educational background data. Differences in the tested abilities were found between men and women, but the differences changed (narrowed or widened) due to differences in educational background and general living conditions where the participants grew up. Researchers found that differences between men and women in categorization was equivalent when educational & economic background was roughly equivalent. However, in episodic memory women continued to outperform men even when they all had similar educational opportunities and came from regions with improving living conditions. Men with better living conditions and educational opportunities outperformed women from more impoverished conditions in numeracy, but when women's conditions were raised to equivalence, the gap narrowed (but was not entirely eliminated). Note well that this is a macro-study, broadly considering regions with better or worse living conditions and educational opportunities.