BRAIN POWER: Left, right or straight-ahead
...The female brain has all the answers!

WORDS: NICOLE BUCKLER

Not many scientists are willing to publish research that shows distinct differences between men and women’s brains. But recent research does show that there are big differences, not only in architecture but also in the way that chemicals swirl around our lobes. So while it is a sticky subject, there is a need to explain why men and women are so different. We all need to ask, why DO most men play online poker for hours on end if left unsupervised? Why do women spend hours counselling friends about their horrific mother-in-law who is trying to move in next door?

In most cases, scientists are not claiming that the male or female brain is superior or inferior, they are just, well, DIFFERENT. What we humanoids need to work out now, is how much of this is learned difference, and how much of it is hard-wired from birth. And after we crack that nut, we need to work out how to be in school together, how to be in the workplace together, and how to be married to each other.

An interesting figure in this field is Simon Baron-Cohen. He is the director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University. His clinical studies have uncovered some whopping differences between brain types. He claims that the differences in brains are quite pronounced, even at birth, where learned behaviour has not had the time to work its magic. Baron-Cohen says that there are in fact three common brain types. For some humanoids, empathising is stronger than systemising. He calls this type of brain the female brain. In the reverse situation, systemising is stronger than empathising. This he calls the male brain. But there is a third kind of brain, one which is capable of both systemising and empathising. Baron-Cohen is not saying that all women should get into the kitchen and cook a good meal and serve it while reading gossip magazines. And he’s not saying that all men should trainspot, construct mobiles, and fix spark plugs to be considered real men. He’s just saying that women are more likely to empathise, and men more likely to systemise, but that the borderlines for these categories aren’t set in stone.

Of course, if you find these categories a bit too strict, then it is hard to be mad at Simon Baron-Cohen. Firstly he is Sasha’s cousin (yes Ali G/Borat et al), but secondly he works hard every day in the challenging area of Autism. So this guy sounds like a snag if anyone ever did. He himself might be a “third brain” type. And how can you be mad at a guy who is a “third brain” type?

Read more about Brain Power in the June | July 2007 issue of WMB, subscribe now.