Sex differences in WAIS item performance

Although the WAIS IQ scores of males and females differ only negligibly, significant sex differences do exist on many WAIS subtests. The purpose of the present investigation was to identify any WAIS items within these subtests that showed reliable sex differences. Within a cross-validation methodology that employed 521 adults (264 males; 257 females), 21 items were found to show reliable sex differences. A reanalysis by age groups provided similar results. The nature of the items was discussed, and an index of stereotyped sex-role experiences was proposed.