Studies on the masculine generic show that:

a.

People usually understand that the term "he" can refer to both males and females.

b.

Men believe that "he" refers to both males and females, whereas women believe that "he" refers only to males.

c.

Most undergraduates understand that a phrase such as prehistoric man really refers to both men and women.

d.

In general, people understand that the term "he" refers to males, rather than to both males and females.