Things I Learned Today: Totally “Gendered” Brains are Completely BS
I may not be a neurologist. I may not be a psychologist. But, I have -- for a really, really long time -- argued against the idea that there was such a thing as a “male” brain or a “female” brain; that there was some kind of structural difference that made males or females better suited to different cognitive tasks.
And ‘lo! Like the concept of larger brains being smarter brains, this myth has been debunked.
Researchers found that very few of the markers that reportedly gender specific actually had any relevance. Of the approximately 1,400 brains scanned via MRI, most were determined to be a "mosaic” rather than having distinctly male or female structure. For there to be demonstrable connection to gender, the researchers noted, differences between male brains and female brains would need to be consistent. Which these weren’t.
These findings should further improve our understanding of gender -- not as a dimorphic constant, but as a more fluid spectrum. And that it will help to strengthen the argument that stereotypical myths of gendered abilities, intelligence and interests are also a load of BS.