The hardwired difference between male and female brains

[cronus]

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style ... 78248.html

The hardwired difference between male and female brains

A pioneering study has shown for the first time that the brains of men and women are wired up differently which could explain some of the stereotypical differences in male and female behaviour, scientists have said.

Researchers found that many of the connections in a typical male brain run between the front and the back of the same side of the brain, whereas in women the connections are more likely to run from side to side between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

This difference in the way the nerve connections in the brain are “hardwired” occurs during adolescence when many of the secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair in men and breasts in women develop under the influence of sex hormones, the study found.

The researchers believe the physical differences between the two sexes in the way the brain is hardwired could play an important role in understanding why men are in general better at spatial tasks involving muscle control while women are better at verbal tasks involving memory and intuition.

(continued)

[klr]

"... for the first time?"

[MiM]

If that occurs during adolescence, it actually sounds like it could be more of a cultural effect. In the brain the connection most used gets strengthened.

[cronus]

Women and men are different and we should celebrate that not try to diminish it with a equality agenda. I wouldn't want my wife to think like me. She follows her version of logic and I follow the real thing. In that there is harmony.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

"Hard-wired" suggests environment or upbringing play no part - which this research doesn't seem to demonstrate.

Also this "difference" would only be a difference in the statistical sense (like "men are taller than women") not in the absolute sense (like "a carbon atom is more massive than a hydrogen atom").

[Tyrannical]

"... for the first time?"

I thought this was known aloooong time ago, what with that left brain right brain stuff.

[cronus]

"... for the first time?"

I thought this was known aloooong time ago, what with that left brain right brain stuff.

Rediscovering the wisdom of the ancients is down to seven years in the internet age.

[klr]

Women and men are different and we should celebrate that not try to diminish it with a equality agenda. I wouldn't want my wife to think like me. She follows her version of logic and I follow the real thing. In that there is harmony.

We wouldn't want her to think like you either.

[JimC]

If that occurs during adolescence, it actually sounds like it could be more of a cultural effect. In the brain the connection most used gets strengthened.

Good point - perhaps some comparison between groups of females into "tomboy" stuff as children, vs those who were more passive?

Mind you, a difference could still be down to a range of genetic information in girls anyway...

However, I would expect there to be the usual complex interplay between genes, development and culture, which makes separating factors very hard...

[rachelbean]

If that occurs during adolescence, it actually sounds like it could be more of a cultural effect. In the brain the connection most used gets strengthened.

Good point - perhaps some comparison between groups of females into "tomboy" stuff as children, vs those who were more passive?

Mind you, a difference could still be down to a range of genetic information in girls anyway...

However, I would expect there to be the usual complex interplay between genes, development and culture, which makes separating factors very hard...

Yep, the headline and the report are grasping with very little actual causation shown. At this point there is correlation and that's far from enough to make the strong statements in the article. And this:

Because the female connections link the left hemisphere, which is associated with logical thinking, with the right, which is linked with intuition, this could help to explain why women tend to do better than men at intuitive tasks, she added.

Insofar as the left = logical/right = intuitive, it's just wrong, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a credible source in neuroscience who still supports it: http://ideas.time.com/2013/11/29/there- ... in-divide/

[PsychoSerenity]

Yeah the term "hardwired" is rather poorly used if noticeable differences only begin to show up during adolescence. And it would be nice if these differences were at least put into perspective beside the vast overlapping similarities between even "typical" male and female brains.

[FBM]

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style ... 78248.html

The hardwired difference between male and female brains

A pioneering study has shown for the first time that the brains of men and women are wired up differently which could explain some of the stereotypical differences in male and female behaviour, scientists have said.

Researchers found that many of the connections in a typical male brain run between the front and the back of the same side of the brain, whereas in women the connections are more likely to run from side to side between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

This difference in the way the nerve connections in the brain are “hardwired” occurs during adolescence when many of the secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair in men and breasts in women develop under the influence of sex hormones, the study found.

The researchers believe the physical differences between the two sexes in the way the brain is hardwired could play an important role in understanding why men are in general better at spatial tasks involving muscle control while women are better at verbal tasks involving memory and intuition.

(continued)

Hehehehehe hehe hehehehehehehehe hehe hehe hehe hehehehe...

hehehehe hehe hehehehehehehe...

hehehe hehe hehe hehe....

You said "breasts"... hehe hehe hehe...

hehehe hehe hehe hehehe hehehe hehe hehe hehe hehe....

[rachelbean]

[cronus]

I've lived long enough to recognise deep seated differences. As I say these differences complement and hence the stability of the family unit, through historic time. Women have strengths and men too but there is plenty of variation and it is impossible to generalise.

[rachelbean]

That there are general differences that can be observed is not a question. Where those differences come from, is.