Persistent gender differences in spatial ability, even in STEM experts.

Background: Spatial ability (SA) shows wide variability. One proposed explanation for the observed individual difference in SA is variability in interest and engagement in activities that promote spatial ability. Research also robustly shown that males on average outperform females in most aspects of SA.

Ordinary extraordinary: Elusive group differences in personality and psychological difficulties between STEM-gifted adolescents and their peers.

Background: Individual differences in personality, behavioural, and academic outcomes of gifted adolescents remain under-explored.

Aims: The present study directly compared selected and unselected adolescents on multiple measures of personality, behavioural strengths and difficulties, and achievement.

Sample: Nine hundred seventy-three adolescents selected for high performance in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) fields (M = 15.