extreme values: for example, there are many more extremely talented women
than men when it comes to linguistic abilities and many more seriously
challenged men than women. Further, while the reasons for these differences
are partly developmental, there are often small differences right after birth that
are later amplified by interaction with the environment. For example, a child
who communicates more will have more opportunity to practice and improve
her language skills and her small initial lead might turn into a substantial
advantage later in life.
The Human Brain: A Guided Tour 61