The brains of men and women are not wired differently. Men are not from Mars and women are not from Venus, according to a neuroscientist. Prof. Gina Rippon of Aston University, Birmingham said that differences between men and women’s brains emerge due to socio-environmental factors. They are not innate. Recent studies had found that male brains are more suited to perception and coordinated movement.
Our society creates the differences between male and female brains
Prof Rippon said at Southbank Center’s “WOW: Women for the World Festival” that any differences in the brains of the two genders comes from gender stereotyping in our society. Prof Rippon said there is compelling evidence that the differences are minute, and are the direct result of environment, not biology. Prof Rippon highlighted past studies that demonstrated that brains of black cab drivers in London changed after they acquired The Knowledge, which is an encyclopedic recall of the city’s streets.
The neuroscientist believes that the differences in men and women’s brains are due to cultural stimuli. A female brain gets “wired” for multitasking because our society expects that of her. Subsequently, she begins using that part of her brain more frequently, reports The Telegraph. Extra use causes an increase in the size of respective muscle. The brain changes throughout our life. Human society is full of unconscious bias and stereotypical attitudes.
Even trivial things affect developing brains
The seeds of gender differences are sown early based on how girls and boys should behave, and what toys they should play with. Prof Rippon claims that giving cars to boys and dolls to girls could affects how their brains develop. Many people consider it trivial, and say that girls like to be princesses. But even these things are pervasive in the developing brain, and may affect its potential. Most often, girls’ toys are more nurturing while boys’ toys are more training-based. It reflects what is expected in their future.
Kids learn the so-called rules of how to be a girl or boy at a very young age through people and media. Oher studies have found that, when it comes to investing, women are better investors than men.
