The difference between the male and female brain

Gender

Neuropsychology

Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Differences in the Male and Female Brain

There are emotional, cognitive, and physical differences between the male and female brain that stem from evolutionary and environmental factors. The cerebral cortex exhibits a high differentiation between the male and female brain, identified through gender disparities in many cognitive functions including language processing and spatial abilities (Cohen, 2003, p. 6). Other differences are less linked to intellect and are seen in the more primitive areas of the brain, such as the hypothalamus, where the volume of a nucleus is twice as large in men than women. This part of the brain is where "the basic functions of life are controlled, including hormonal control via the pituitary gland" (Sabbatini, 1997, para. 22).

Hormones are believed to be one of the greatest factors causing sex differences in the brain. Lower levels of testosterone are found in a woman, which equates to " better levels of language, communication skills, eye contact, and social skills- all signs of better empathizing" (Cohen, 2003, p. 101). Adversely, higher levels of testosterone have been shown to equate to better systemizing skills, which are seen more in males (Cohen, 2003, p. 101). Emotional differentiation is not only a byproduct of hormonal differences in the male and female brain, but also a result of differences found in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex (Cohen, 2003, p. 110). The amygdala is associated with "attaching emotional significance to stimuli" and research studies suggest that the amygdala shows differing rates of responsiveness among males and females (Cohen, 2003, p. 110).

Disparities in the chemistry and construction of the brain of each sex influence their reactions to the environment (Cahill, 2005, para. 15). A greater number of neuron connections in the amygdala of males results in emotional behavior quite different from that seen in females. This is due to different amounts of neurotransmitters and receptors in various areas of the brain (Cahill, 2005, para. 16). Women tend to show more neuron connections in the hippocampus. Increased neuronal connections are "thought to be involved with the laying down of memories" (Cahill, 2005, para. 19). The hippocampus is responsible "for memory storage and for spatial mapping of the physical environment" (Cahill, 2005, para. 18). Thus, women navigate using landmarks, whereas males use space and orientation to estimate distance.

Studying the physical aspects of the brain in males and females highlights emotional and cognitive differences between the two sexes. In the female brain, the two hemispheres appear to be more interconnected, suggesting a greater ability to multitask. The female brain has a more active frontal cortex than that of males and the female brain better copes with boredom. As for the cortex, males and females seem to use it for different means. In the male brain, a greater area is used for spatial-mechanic functions, whereas in females, a greater area is used for emotions and verbal responses (Williams, 2008, p. 20).

Even the physical development of the brain of each sex takes place at different rates. In women, "the frontal lobes develop earlier than they do in males" (Williams, 2008, p. 20) and as a result, they "may possess less impulsivity" (Williams, 2008, p. 21). In young boys, there is more "impulsivity, single-task focus, kinesthetic learning, aggression, and competition" due to a different rate of development. The male brain may have a better propensity for impulsivity, but it also allows for a greater attention to detail. The male brain has "about 4 billion more neuron's in the cortex than women's" (Cohen, 2003, p. 112), which is linked to better systemizing. As a result of having more cells, the male brain is heavier (Cohen, 2003, p. 112). These physical differences can be linked to evolutionary and biological factors, but the role of experience and nurture continues to be researched (Cohen, 2003, p. 1).