Reviews psychological research on motivation and educational achievement, discussing gender and contributions by feminist researchers. Feminist psychologists note sex bias and methodological flaws in traditional research on achievement motivation, proposing improved models (Eccles' expectancy x value model of achievement behavior). Contrary to stereotypes, gender similarities are found in areas, such as mathematics performance. Describes gender bias in the SAT, the female underprediction effect, and threats to women's achievements. (Contains references.) (SM)