ShaE
07-31-2006, 11:18 PM
I think it's pretty much accepted that men and womens' brains function differently. Acknowledging differences doesn't make one superior or inferior...just with a different set of strengths/weaknesses. This doctor has spent her entire career studying the biology of the female brain, and gender specific factors. Pretty interesting...her book comes out soon. Interesting breakdown she gave:
Prefontal cortex ( Self control ): Restrains the amygdala's aggressive impulses. Because it is larger in women, and mature's earlier in women, women tend to be more patient and pacific than men.
Insula ( Intuition and empathy ): Women are better at reading nonverbal cues like facial expressions, in part b/c their insulae- home to the gut instincts- are larger and more active.
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ( Anxiety and decisions ): Weighs options during decision making. It's also a stress and mood center and is larger in women, making them more prone to worrying.
Hippocampus ( Emotional memory ): Forms, stores, and accesses memories. Since it is larger and more active in women, it allows women to remember emotional events in greater detail.
Hypothalamus ( Hormone control ): Directs the hormones. In women, it becomes active earlier than in men, causing women to enter puberty sooner and to be more sensitive to hormone fluctuations.
Pituitary Gland ( Maternal instinct ): Works in concert with the hypothalamus to control the hormone glands. During pregnancy, it triggers milk production and aids nurturing behavior.
Amygdala (Aggression ): Where strong emotions, fear, and aggression originate. It's smaller in women, making them less likely to take physical risks and get into fights.
Prefontal cortex ( Self control ): Restrains the amygdala's aggressive impulses. Because it is larger in women, and mature's earlier in women, women tend to be more patient and pacific than men.
Insula ( Intuition and empathy ): Women are better at reading nonverbal cues like facial expressions, in part b/c their insulae- home to the gut instincts- are larger and more active.
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ( Anxiety and decisions ): Weighs options during decision making. It's also a stress and mood center and is larger in women, making them more prone to worrying.
Hippocampus ( Emotional memory ): Forms, stores, and accesses memories. Since it is larger and more active in women, it allows women to remember emotional events in greater detail.
Hypothalamus ( Hormone control ): Directs the hormones. In women, it becomes active earlier than in men, causing women to enter puberty sooner and to be more sensitive to hormone fluctuations.
Pituitary Gland ( Maternal instinct ): Works in concert with the hypothalamus to control the hormone glands. During pregnancy, it triggers milk production and aids nurturing behavior.
Amygdala (Aggression ): Where strong emotions, fear, and aggression originate. It's smaller in women, making them less likely to take physical risks and get into fights.