Women, Men, Logic, and Emotion

How different are men from women? And how much could those differences affect your future?

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Complete entry

Posted by Kris Notaro  on  10/24  at  01:26 AM

The more fine-tuned neuroscience becomes some differences will be identified like the agreed upon difference is in the INAH-3 region of the brain in which it becomes "masculinized" and "feminized" due to a number of theories including genetics and prenatal exposure to certain chemicals during critical periods of brain development. However I am willing to bet, that if this remains true, that is if "gender dimorphism" is a reality, that neural plasticity can override most, if not all our old assumptions of the male and female brain.

Mike, I believe the statement that goes along with the canadian study "But maybe we should be concerned about a possible deficiency among some transhumanist leaders in understanding and appreciating emotional states." is completely wrong, sorry Mike!

I don't think that study, like many, means much of anything, and I think all it shows is another stereotype produced by culture and society. I do however think that theres a possible deficiency among some transhumanist leaders in understanding diversity, sociology, power, and again, Patricia Hill Collins' term "the matrix of domination". I don't think many leaders in the transhumanist movement consider the position they are in - historically, and how race, class, gender, and a history of inequality may still be influencing their thoughts and actions and the structure of such futurist groups. The history of capitalism, slavery, western colonialism, sexism etc. is to blame i think. Remember it's still only 2009, our society is still vastly effected by past and present oppression.

And this is coming from someone who grew up with 3 learning disabilities, so I promise you I clearly understand how the structure of the brain can affect school, learning, and a number of other social factors, but i also think neural plasticity, education, and culture/society make a huge difference.

Posted by Gary York  on  10/31  at  04:41 PM

It seems likely that women may prefer to select a career that allows them the option to step out of it for a time -- a few years to many -- without undue penalty when they resume it. A career in IT does not seem to present that option. The bleeding edge moves bloody fast in IT and it is not a congenial choice for one who thinks they might possibly want to be a full-time mama for a few years.

Men, certainly, have the same option; far fewer choose it, fewer still desire it and hardly anyone actually expects it of them.

While there are indubitably cognitive gender differences that may strongly impact personal choice, we should not fail to consider that many women still make some choices differently than men simply because they desire different outcomes.

G.

Posted by Esther  on  10/30  at  02:55 PM

I consistantly find that men are allowed by society to display more complex emotions than women are allowed. Women are expected to reveal only three emotions: neutrality, submissive sadness, or childlike happiness. These criteria are imposed upon women not just by men, but from other women as well. Men are allowed to display many more complex emotions without judgement such as annoyance, intrique, excitement, doubt, intensity of interest, disapproval, anger, etc. For example, I have consistantly seen men throw a tantrum at work with no repercusions, but if I slightly express displeasure about something, all hell breaks loose, with severe consiquences. I have also been told by female family members that it is sinful to be angry, but for some reason, when a male relative becomes angry, there is always some excuse made for him to justify his anger. Once, I stated my needs at a restaurant in a very matter of fact way, and my female friends ganged up on me telling me it was very rude to address the waitress so matter of factly. I told them that I was quite sure that if I had been a man, it would not have been considered rude at all. I still am quite certain of this.

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