Researchers from the University of Rochester in New York state analysed tests on more than 13,300 adults and roundly declared the notion that there's a difference between the sexes to be rubbish.

The scientists looked at the differences on a range of 122 issues from their attitudes and beliefs to emotions and ability, from whether they are good at maths to what they watch on TV.

Even those characteristics which many believe are either masculine or feminine are not.

Being ambitious is not necessarily a male characteristic, even though it is portrayed as such, while women are as good at maths as men.

Emotionally, men and women often have the same attitude to relationships, independence and look for the same qualities in a partner, said researchers.

And when couples fall out, they are wrong to blame it on sexual differences - her stubbornness, his lack of sensitivity for instance.

[G]ay couples argue about exactly the same things as straight couples, the researchers told the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

They reported: 'Men and women, by and large, do not fall into different groups. Men are from Earth, women are from Earth