402 CHAPTER 10
shows the results of this study. Similar findings have been obtained by several subsequent
studies, suggesting that androgyny may lead to better, more efficient and effective coping
skills during times of stress (Cheng et al., 2014; Prakash, et al., 2010).Gender Differences
10.5 Describe how men and women differ in thinking, social behavior, and
personality.
Although there are clear biological differences in males and females, even to the point of
affecting the size of certain structures in the brain (Swaab et al., 2012; Zilles & Amunts,
2012), what sort of differences exist in the behavior of males and females? Are those dif-
ferences due to biology, socialization, or a combination of the two influences?
COGNITIVE DIFFERENCES Researchers have long held that females score
higher on tests of verbal abilities than do males but that males score higher
on tests of mathematical skills and spatial skills (Diamond, 1991; Voyer
et al., 1995). Early explanations of these differences in cognitive func-
tioning involved physical differences in the way each sex used the two
hemispheres of the brain as well as hormonal differences (Witelson, 1991).
Other research, however, strongly suggests that psychological and social
issues may be more responsible for these differences, as these differences
have become less and less obvious (Hyde & Plant, 1995; Kimura, 1999;
Miller & Halpern, 2014; Voyer et al., 1995; Watt, 2000). In particular, the
supposed differences in math abilities between boys and girls have now
been shown to be more the effect of girls’ lack of confidence rather than
any biological difference in the working of the brain (American Associa-
tion of University Women, 1992, 1998; Else-Quest et al., 2010; Goetz et al.,
2013; Guo et al., 2015; Sadker & Sadker, 1994). That the disparities (which
are actually quite small) seem to be disappearing as society has begun to
view the two genders as more equal in ability is taken as a sign that more
equal treatment in society has reduced the gender difference.
SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES The differences normally cited between men
and women in the ways they interact with others and in their personality traits are often the
result of stereotyped thinking about the sexes. It is difficult to demonstrate differences that
are not caused by the way boys and girls are socialized as they grow up. Boys are taught to
hold in their emotions, not to cry, to be “strong” and “manly.” Girls are encouraged to form
emotional attachments, be emotional, and be open about their feelings with others.
In communication, research suggests that when men talk to each other, they tend to talk
about current events, sports, and other events. This has been called a “report” style of com-
munication and seems to involve switching topics frequently, with attempts to dominate the
conversation by certain members of the group. In contrast, women tend to use a “relate” style
of communication with each other, revealing a lot about their private lives and showing con-
cern and sympathy. They tend to interrupt each other less and let everyone participate in the
conversation (Argamon et al., 2003; Coates, 1986; Pilkington, 1998; Swann, 1998). There seem
to be similar differences in the way men and women use social media communication, such
as Twitter (Cunha et al., 2014). Another study, using fMRI technology, found that men listen
with the left hemisphere only, whereas women listen with both hemispheres, suggesting that
women pay attention to the tone and emotion of statements as well as the content (Lurito et
al., 2000). The existence of such differences does not necessarily mean that these differences
are present at birth and influenced only by biology, however. Many experts caution that such
differences in neurological functioning can be the result of sociocultural influences (Case &
Oetama-Paul, 2015; Kaiser et al., 2009). And, contrary to what you may see in the popular
press, human beings cannot simply be characterized as having a “female” versus a “male”
brain (Joel et al., 2015).It was long believed that the difference between girls and boys in
math skills was a function of biology, but research now shows that
psychological and social issues are the more likely causes.
“It’s a guy thing.”
© The New Yorker Collection 1995 Donald Reilly
from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.