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Re: Oh no, more sexual dimorphism of the brain!
JOHN LANGDON (LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU)
Wed, 22 Feb 1995 11:01:53 -0500
In message Lynn Nordquist writes:
> Given that the human brain develops neurological pathways as a
> result of experience, isn't it possible that the differences found in the
> cognitive patterns between men and women in the study is an artifact
> of their life experiences?
Interesting hypothesis, but conventional wisdom doesn't believe postnatal
experience can cause such gross changes in brain organization (pathologies
aside). It might be useful, however, to ask whether such differences are present
in preadolescent (pre-pubertal hormone spurt) brains. The assumption is yes,
that all such differences are prenatal; but . . .
> Just one additional tidbit and that is that I wonder what the use of
> such research information might be. Why, exactly, does it make a
> difference if a statistical majority of males use a different part of their
> brains to process information than do a statistical majority of
> females?
I think there are answers to this question. For one: I have learned from my
experience as a teacher what numerous learning psychologists have been saying,
that different individuals learn things in different ways. (This does not
necessarily apply to gender.) I have been trying to imagine ways to address my
teaching to these different populations. If males and females, for example, were
demonstrated to use different cognitive and anatomical strategies for similar
tasks, it might be very useful to address education to both strategies rather
than one.
> Also, is it necessary to think of males and females as
> existing in two discrete categories?
I have argued this question with colleagues. I think the answer is "for what
purpose?" Biologically and reproductively, only two sexes make sense (at least
for mammals) and all variations from those must be seen as variations. In terms
of social definitions of gender, society can do any thing it wants to, and
different societies do. We may decide as a society to accept only two norms and
then persecute deviants or we may decide on three, four, or a spectrum. As far
as brains or other anatomical parts go, the spectrum is a better way to
_describe_ the species but may (or may not) be a less useful way of
understanding its evolution.
JOHN H. LANGDON email LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY FAX (317) 788-3569
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS PHONE (317) 788-3447
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227
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