Understanding Brain-Based Sex Differences (Part One): Correlations with the Caretaker-Hunter Theory
The anatomical similarities between female and male brains far outweigh their differences, which are relatively few and subtle. Nonetheless, these differences do give rise to observable tendencies we can use to better understand others and ourselves.
Just like the tendencies, though, associated with the left- and right-brain (as explained in my related article), these sex-related tendencies apply perhaps only to most people most of the time. A relatively small percentage of females may even fit all the tendencies of the males, and vice versa for a small percentage of males.
We can readily understand these observable differences and tendencies when we consider the anthropological origins of human society — historically, males were often the hunters while females were caretakers of any offspring and the home, as well as gatherers.
In part two of this article, though, we will delve deeper into the discussion of whether the brain influenced these roles or vice versa, or if there was a combination of both. Regardless, it’s crucial to acknowledge that our progress as a species has since significantly altered these traditional roles. Additionally, there are likely other factors apart from those mentioned that contribute to the described sex differences.
Furthermore, it is important to approach these differences with caution, as they represent general trends that should not be used to stereotype or make assumptions about individuals. Notably, while there may be tendencies associated with a sex, individual variations within each sex are vast and should be acknowledged. Factors such as genetics, environment, culture, and personal experiences all play a role in shaping an individual’s characteristics and behaviors.
Ultimately, a nuanced and inclusive perspective on brain differences can help us appreciate the diversity and individuality within humanity — fostering empathy and promoting equality among all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
Females: The Role of Caretakers and Gatherers
Females, in being caretakers and gatherers, would benefit from better sensory perceptions. Examples include picking up on subtleties such as ones related to children, gathered items, and potential intrusions by animals or insects into one’s home, especially when one is engaged in other activities. Research indicates that females exhibit greater sensitivity to all forms of sensory stimulation except vision (which will be discussed later). (Kolb & Whishaw 319)
Caretakers and gatherers would also benefit from having better communication skills. This includes verbal language skills as well as non-verbal ones, such as interpreting body language and facial expressions. Studies again indicate females outperform males in both verbal and non-verbal language abilities. (Kolb & Whishaw 316, 319)
Superior spatial memory and multitasking would benefit caretakers and gatherers too. Better spatial memory would aid the ability to store and recall the location of items, whether within the household or in gathering areas outside the home. Fittingly, females perform better in studies related to spatial memory (although as we’ll detail later, males, fittingly, perform better in studies related to spatial navigation). (Kolb & Whishaw 317)
Multitasking becomes increasingly possible when one experiences routine tasks more often. This tends to be the case when caring for a home and offspring, as well as when gathering items. It also perhaps tends to be a necessity in order to juggle the multiple overlapping tasks of being a caretaker and homemaker. Relatively few sex-related multitasking studies exist, but one involving a computer-based task-switching paradigm found men slowed down significantly more than women. (Stoet et al. 2013)
Females: Greater Between-Hemispheric Connectivity
At the root, sensory perception, communication, spatial memory, and multitasking all involve blending new and novel information with existing and familiar information: When we detect a new sensory perception, such as a novel smell, we rely on familiar ones to make sense of it; when we have new thoughts, we use known words and language structure to express them; when we want to remember the location of new items, we can link them to the location of existing, known landmarks; and after we deal with a new task that interrupts an existing one, we want to remember to return to the previous one.
Considering that the right hemisphere of the brain (right-brain) tends to handle new and novel information, while the left hemisphere (left-brain) processes existing and familiar information (as discussed in another article), it stands to reason that the blending of these cognitive processes would benefit from enhanced connectivity between the left- and right-brain. Fittingly, research indicates this so-called between-hemispheric connectivity to be greater in females than males. (Ingalhalikar et al. 2014)
This greater connectivity in females aligns with their propensity for greater bilateral brain activity. (Kolb & Whishaw 325) In addition, it perhaps results in greater functional interaction, and hence greater functional integration and reduced functional differentiation, of the left- and right-brain in females. (Goldberg, “The New” 135) Furthermore, these findings provide insights into the tendency of females to display less pronounced preferences for either the left- or right-brain (as mentioned in another article).
Males: Greater Within-Hemispheric Connectivity
Whereas females tend to exhibit greater between-hemispheric connectivity, males tend to exhibit greater within-hemispheric connectivity. (Ingalhalikar et al. 2014) The male brain also exhibits functional, biochemical, and structural asymmetry to a higher degree than the female brain. (Goldberg, “The New”134) Such differences fit with studies that show males, compared to females, rely more on the left-brain during language activities. (Baxter et al. 2003) These observations shed light on performance disparities between females and males…
Specifically, as males rely relatively less on the right-brain during language tasks, they may encounter difficulties with new or novel aspects of language processing, as the right-brain excels in handling such aspects. This aligns with findings indicating that males have relatively lower verbal fluency compared to females, as related tests require individuals to generate a new list of words or sentences based on given constraints (Kolb & Whishaw, 317). These differences also may help explain why boys generally begin speaking later than girls, and why they perform worse in reading and writing. (Miller & Halpern, 2013)
Similarly, the male brain’s lesser between-hemispheric connectivity, and greater asymmetry and within-hemispheric connectivity, fits with a study showing it to exhibit more localized, less dispersed activity during spatial analysis tasks. (Jordan et al. 2002) This perhaps helps explain the tendency of males to outperform females in such tasks… (Kolb & Whishaw 316)
In particular, the male brain’s less bilateral, more localized brain activity may result in faster, more efficient, and presumably more effective processing in such tasks. This fits with a related study that linked lesser bilateral representation with superior performance when mentally rotating a shape, a common spatial analysis task. (Unterrainer et al. 2000)
Furthermore, greater asymmetry and different hemispheric connectivity perhaps leads males to use a more effective approach than females in spatial analysis tasks. In essence, the male brain’s anatomy might favor a visual, coordinate-based approach, whereas the female brain may lean towards a verbal, category-based approach. (Hugdahl, Thomsen, & Ersland 2006)
These distinctions also align with the previously discussed observations of females excelling in spatial memory tasks and males performing better in navigation tasks. Spatial memory tasks benefit from a category-based approach, such as identifying landmarks and associating other items with them. Navigation tasks (particularly when it involves large spaces and orientation), benefit from a coordinate-based approach, such as using cardinal directions like north and south.
Males: The Role of Hunters
Whereas better spatial memory and language abilities befit gatherers and caretakers, better navigation and spatial analysis abilities would befit hunters. Better vision perception would befit hunters too. Fittingly, males tend to detect a visual stimulus at lower thresholds, and they detect it faster, than females. (Kolb & Whishaw 319)
Greater physical aggression would befit hunters too. With males historically being the hunters, the presence of physical aggression being more prevalent in males aligns with this role. (Kolb & Whishaw 320)
Increased physical aggression has been linked to higher concentrations of the hormone testosterone. (Book, Starzyk, & Quinsey 2001) Compared to females, males tend to have greater amounts of this hormone. (Springer & Deutsch 150) Testosterone, in addition to its well-known connection to the muscular system, plays a significant role in activating brain centers related to aggression. (Nguyen et al. 2016)
Aside from making males more physically aggressive, testosterone, along with other factors, may also have a direct effect on the development of gender differentiations of the female and male brain. (Swaab & Garcia-Falgueras 2009) Such differentiations are contested, though, including the previously described differences related to asymmetry and hemispheric connectivity.
Concluding Remarks
In summary, the general consensus of most of the studies reveal a pattern of specialization of the brain based on historic sex-related roles. Since a detailed discussion of the related complexities seems to be beyond the scope of this article, it has been provided in another article, as have the supporting details and studies.
This matter, though, needs far greater research to address conflicting findings and to gain a nuanced understanding of the various types of female and male brains. It has nonetheless been discussed here to help explain some of the commonly observed differences between females and males. Part two of this article will continue exploring these observable differences.
Note: It is important to reiterate that these tendencies and findings are based on general patterns observed in research. Individual variations within each sex are significant, and it is essential to acknowledge that gender is not strictly limited to a binary concept but encompasses a spectrum of identities beyond male and female.
Hence, it is crucial to avoid sweeping generalizations or assumptions. Additionally, these observations should not restrict individuals from pursuing any role or field based on their sex, as personal interests, abilities, and preferences vary greatly among individuals.
I invite you to share your observations and insights regarding brain-based sex differences. Feel free to ask any questions or contribute to the discussion.
Moreover, please follow me to ensure you catch my upcoming, equally insightful and revealing, brain-based articles on personality types / societal roles, interaction styles, and more! This includes a related, intriguing theory that delves into our preference for a specific brain quadrant and even a brain-based explanation for handedness — a long-standing mystery, finally solved!
Together, let’s continue unraveling the mysteries of the human brain and uncover the profound implications they have for our lives.
