People are naturally predisposed to focus on small differences, when they form a pattern, to the exclusion of focusing upon larger, random differences that do not form a pattern. It is a predisposition that is likely a result of evolutionary forces, a product of the mostly unconscious perceptual processing system. One form of an unconscious, innate perceptual process is categorical perception:
Small differences can have great significance when people are predisposed to direct greater focus on them and to pay more attention to them than they pay to larger similarities.
“…the standard deviation of men’s traits that don’t overlap with the standard deviation of women’s traits is viewed more favourably.”
That is commonly assumed to be so, but I, personally, have my doubts. Traits commonly associated with men are viewed more favorably under some circumstances and in connection with certain activities, possibly because they are more useful under those particular circumstances or activities. Alternatively, there are activities and circumstances under which traits commonly associated with women are viewed more favorably, and that may be because they are more useful under those particular circumstances and activities.
The way one tends to judge things is the way that is most useful to the one doing the judging.
The above reflects my best judgement based upon observation and experience, and differs from the commonly held assumption that you have expressed.
