Presents

Gender Differences—at Work and Home

Arlene R. Taylor PhDwww.arlenetaylor.org Brain References

Default Setting Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Without a conversion process, the brain’sdefault position will result in an

empathizing brain that sprouts more connections in communication

centers and in areas that process emotion

All fetal brains start out looking very similar

Conversion Process Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Time-lapse photography has shownthat brain circuits began changingabout 6-8 weeks into gestation in somebrains The changes are triggered based on chromosome patterns and available hormones such as testosterone and estrogens

XX Chromosome PatternArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Developing ovaries alter levels of circulating sex hormones (especially estrogen and testosterone)

The result is an empathizing brainthat has specific structural andfunctional characteristics

XY Chromosome PatternArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Developing testicles alter the amount of circulating sex hormones (especially testosterone)

This triggers a chemical bath thatbegins a conversion process

The result is a systemizing brainthat has specific structural andfunctional characteristics

Conversion ProcessArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

The chemical bath triggerschanges in the developing brain

Brain turns a lavender color temporarily

Maturation of Left hemisphere slows

Development of Right hemisphere flourishes

Structure of the inner ear is changed

Impact, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Size of 9 of 12 identified areas is increased

Cell #s in communications centers decrease

Cell#s in sex and aggression centers increase

Size and structure of anterior commissure and corpus callosum (bridges) are modified (fewer connecting pathways of with smaller diameter nerve axons)

VariationsArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

When everything goes according to schedule, the brain develops and templates as expected by society and culture

Either a primarily Empathizing or a primarily Systemizing brain

Templating variations do occur

Variations, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Some brains template as half empathizing - half systemizing

Some brains fail to match the body’s external genitalia

Note: There are more opportunities for variations in systemizing brains since theconversion process is so complicated

Brain Differences Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female Brains

At birth the L.hemisphere ismore developed

Corrected for body size: brain is smaller yet contains same # of neurons

Male Brains

At birth the R. hemisphere is more developed

In adulthood: brain is 9% larger and 10% heavier

Brain Differences Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female

Three of twelveareas are larger (e.g., languagecomprehensionand perception of emotion)

Speaks 50,000 words a day

Male

Nine of twelvebrain areas are larger (e.g., the significance of size, if any, is unclear)

Speaks 25,000 words a day

Brain Development Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Myelination of the corpus callosum may be complete by age 20 or 21

Development of the pre-frontal cortex may be complete by mid-twenties

Male brains tend to require an additional 1.6 years for completion (have a set of binoculars in their eyes and can usually see farther)

Blood Flow to BrainArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female

15%-20% higherblood flow to brain

Risk for an occlusive stroke (blood clot)

Risk for a (bleed) hemorrhagic stroke

Male

Lower blood flow

Risk for blood clot

Risk for bleed

Risk for long-termdisability post head injury (wear a helmet!)

Male Brains

A smaller anterior commissure, and likely a smaller corpus callosum

connections provide for a more lateralized styleof processing

Female Brains

A larger anterior commissure, andoften a larger corpus callosum

connections provide for a more generalized style of processing

Connection DifferencesArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Connections, Cont’dArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female Brain  If any part is “on,” it’s all on – requires more energy to run second for secondbut has enhancedsense of intuitive knowing

Risk for dyslexia, hyperactivity

Male Brain 

One section can be working while another is “idling” – requires less energy to run

risk for conditions related to reduced hemisphericconnection (e.g., dyslexia, hyperactivity)

Task Style Arlene Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female Brains

Rarely completeone task beforestarting another  

Tend to try tomulti-task: perform rapidly alternating shiftsof attention

Male Brains

Prefer to complete one task at a time 

Can simul-task: dotwo different cognitivetasks simultaneouslyas long as each usesfunctions from a different hemisphere

The BrainArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Is the first body systemto recognize a stressor

It reacts with split-second timing

It can stimulate the stress response for up to 72 hours after a traumatic event—real or imagined—longer, if you keep rehearsing the event

Female BrainArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

The alarm system is more sensitive to CRF and stress

Lack of receptor internalization in the female brain could translate into impaired ability to cope with high levels of CRF — as occurs in depression and PTSD

Even in the absence of any stress, the female stress signaling system is more sensitive from the start Debra Bangasser PhD

Effective Stress ManagementArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Is critical for females as they are twice as vulnerable as malesto many stress-related disorders

Studies reported in MolecularPsychiatry: In response to a stressor, Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF), both a hormone and a neurotransmitter, binds to receptors on cells in the locus ceruleus, an alarm center deep in the brainstem

Female Brain – StressArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

When the going gets tough in a locus ceruleus neuron, the female brain acts macho In response to a stressor, receptors for the stress hormone CRF remained exposed on the cell surface in the female rat, taking the full hit — this increased CRF binding heightened the brain's stress reactivity

Male Brain - StressArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

In the stressed male rat, internal proteins called arrestins (green), pulledsome of the receptors(docking stations) into the cell's interior, where they couldn't bind with CRF

This adaptation, unique to the male brain, toned-down the neuron's stress sensitivity

Blue receptors and binding to CRF – help

the brain’s stress reactivity

Green arrestin proteins help CRF receptors retreat

inside the cell – and stress reactivity

(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2010/stress-hormone-receptors-less-adaptive-in-female-brain.shtml?WT.mc_id=twitter&sms_ss=email)

Female Brain

More experience oriented

Keeps general score,may expect paybackin a differing type of trade

Male Brain

More goal oriented

Keeps careful / more detailed score, tendsto pay back in similartype of trade basedon the score

Goal vs ExperienceArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female Brain

Resembles a storage trunk

Bumps into manythings when lookingfor something (thinking)

Tends to integrate,stew, and compound

Male Brain

Resembles a chest of drawers

May shut a drawerand never open itunless prompted

Tends to segment, separate, andcompartmentalize

Trunk-Cabinet MetaphorArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female Brains Male Brains

Processing StyleArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

It takes on average about 12-15 minutes of processing time to arrive at a conclusion –for female as well as male brains

The most efficient way of processing differs

Female Brains

Processesinformation mostefficiently verballyand aloud

Arrive at a conclusion during the processof verbalization

Male Brains

Processes information mostefficiently silentlyand internally

Arrive at aconclusion silentlyand then will state it

Processing StyleArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female Brains

Brain processesout loud

“I only know what I’m thinking when Ihear myself sayit out loud.”

Male Brains

Brain processessilently

“I’m thinking. WhenI’ve reached a conclusion, you’llbe the first to know.”

Different StylesArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female Brains

Wait for the male brain to finish internal processingbefore pushing fora conclusion—or you may get a half-baked conclusion

Male Brains

Recognize that thefemale brain comesto a conclusion byverbalizing aloud—avoid assumingthat the first thingshe says is her conclusion

RememberArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Female Brains

May want onlyempathy and alistener ratherthan help with asolution

Need to state upfront whichone is wanted

Male Brains

Usually want to fix a perceived problemor come up with a workable solution

May expend energyneedlessly if theymisunderstand whatis wanted . . .

Empathy or Solution?Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Gender DifferencesArlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Gender differences are here to stay –foundational

You can either understand themand have fun with them or be miserable and frustrated

The End