His Brain, Her Brain

by Scientific American

Boy or girl? Even before a person is born, that's the first thing everyone wants to know—underscoring just how much value human societies of all types place on gender. In this eBook, His Brain, Her Brain, we take a closer look at the anatomical, chemical and functional differences in the brains of men and women—as well as some surprising similarities. For instance, studies of infants—such as those described in "Big Answers from Little People," by David Dobbs—find few differences in cognitive skills between boys and girls; but there is no denying that boys love trucks, whereas girls prefer dolls. While some gender differences are evident even on the first day of a baby's life, most of these discrepancies start out small but get amplified by our gender-obsessed culture. As neuroscientist Lise Eliot explains in "The Truth about Boys and Girls," tea parties and wrestling matches leave their stamp on growing brains, but the gap that separates boys and girls would be less noticeable if parents encouraged activities such as reading for boys and video games for girls. By adulthood, males and females not only have nonidentical brain architectures but also divergent ways of speaking, parenting and responding to both tragedy and comedy. "The Humor Gap," by Christie Nicholson, and "Different Shades of Blue," by Erica Westly, explore these divides. She wants someone who can make her laugh; he wants someone who will laugh at his jokes. And when she's depressed, she gets sad; he gets mad. But men and women aren't from different planets. Few sex disparities are as hardwired as popular accounts make them out to be. A better understanding of the real—and imagined—differences between his brain and her brain can help us overcome cultural biases, improve communication and strengthen relationships.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2014

About the author

Scientific American , as an institutional author, is a popular science magazine founded by Rufus M. Porter and controlled by Nature Publishing Group since autumn, 2008. Mariette DiChristina has been editor-in-chief since December, 2009.

Reviews

[N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of research about the neurobiological differences in men and women, and the implications of “gendered” genetics and hormones for life, education, relationships and parenting.

Found the discussion about mental health really insightful and important, especially from the male perspective and the challenges of diagnosis or treatment for men on account of hormonal differences. It was interesting to learn how differently emotions are processed (e.g. depression manifests itself in women as sadness, whereas for men it tends to be in anger, irritability and recklessness—which I’ve definitely seen to be the case, although I’ve seen women exhibit depression as anger too).

I really enjoyed the section on relationships, what makes a happy couple, and the evolutionary processes at play in things like kissing and humour when selecting a mate. Definitely explained why certain things give me the ick or the giggles. I also didn’t know that where a woman is in her menstrual cycle can influence her feelings of attraction or lack thereof (which makes a lot of sense — ladies, beware of flirting during ovulation!). But good to know that relationships thrive when women are the humorous partner — I got that from my mama!

The first part of the parenting section was encouraging, specifically the evidence of the maternal brain’s high resilience in stress, which was a welcome message to balance out the flood of evidence around antenatal and postnatal depression (which is very important).

The scientific case for optimising for parenting potential in partner selection was interesting — the resounding message is that women should seek not merely someone who will be a good father because he is good with children but also because he is good *to you*. This is of great importance for women who have a history of depression and for whom PPD is a greater risk. The kind of partner you have can help or hinder one’s healing/recovery and ability to manage responsibilities.

The discussion about how maternal mental health impacts the wellbeing of children matches the findings about ACEs (household mental illness being one). But it was interesting to think about how this relates to attachment theory, and the way PPD might result in insecure (anxious/avoidant) attachments in infants. Since the research seems to focus on those who hadn’t sought help, I’d be curious to know what the data says on mothers with a history of depression but who sought help and began recovery in advance of childbearing/rearing. I’d hope for better outcomes!

Finally, as a woman, I’m overfamiliar with the impending biological clock (typical African family pressure)—but I didn’t know that geriatric pregnancies (women over 35) are associated with genetic conditions like Downs Syndrome, or that there is a link between advanced paternal age (40+) and autism (among other conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). As a result, I found these latter chapters on epigenetics quite overwhelming, so prospective parents and future hopefuls can expect to feel a little bit (or a lot) of stress in the face of these findings. Nevertheless, we must hope for and try our best, whatever hand we are given in this life.

Not a “Christian book”, but it was a good reminder to trust God and not put undue pressure on oneself with worries one just doesn’t need (though it’s useful to know these things ahead of time to make informed decisions where possible).

Still, it was a massively insightful read that I 100% recommend to everyone.

[Bryce Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a quick service splash through male and female brain differences which I found interesting. There was nothing; however, mind blowing in this text.

[Amyiw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Included in Audible Plus 2021
Different articles discussing men/women issues and how they differ. It is not all about the brain but goes into...

Boy or Girl
His Brain Her Brain by Larry Cahill (innate differences in sexes and meanings, conclusions, some wrong, needs for differing medical treatment)
The Truth About Girls and Boys by Lisa Eliot (expected vs nurtured)
Big Answers by Little People by David Dobbs (babies and their reactions)
Sex, Math, and Scientific Achievement by Diane F. Halpern, et al (intrinsic or nurture to attract)
Different Shades of Blue Erica Westly (depression differences, yet the guide book is gender neutral)
He Said, She Said by Deborah Tannen (real men don't ask for directions)

Relationships
The Happy Couple by Suzann Pileggi Paweiski (male/female relationships)
Affairs of the Lips by Chip Walter
Why do Men Buy Sex? by Nikolas Westerhoff
The Humor Gap by Christie Nickolson (how humor helps to attract that then keep couples together)
Maternal Mentality by Craig Howard Kinsley & Elizabeth Amory Meyer (changes to mental works during mentality and motherhood)
Family Guy by Emily Anthes (How men parent differently, in play and society)
Misery in Motherhood by Katja Gaschler (post-partum depression)
The Father Factor by Paul Raeburn (Older fathers and birth or other increased risks)
A Patchwork Mind by Melinda Wenner Moyer (chromosones and imprinting)

So has a lot of brain and sex differences but then goes into relationships and social difference and possible why.

[Muhammed Hebala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of the Scientific American writers is better than the ones I read before. The essays are more cohesive and the ideas are far more well-delivered.

[JoAnn Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for everyone..!