This book investigates how social and historical contexts influence the development and interpretation of psychological research concerning women. Stephanie Riger, a scholar in psychology and women's studies, examines the interdisciplinary body of literature that has emerged over the last two decades. She argues that scientific inquiry is not a neutral pursuit of universal truth but is instead a social process deeply influenced by the researcher's own interpretive frameworks. By challenging the assumption of objectivity, Riger provides a critical lens through which to evaluate how biological and social factors are constructed within academic discourse.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the critical study of gender within the social sciences. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for students and researchers interested in the sociology of knowledge.