The Neverending Story of 'Hard-Wired' Gender Differences

Sex Roles, Vol. 65, No. 5, 2011

Posted: 21 Apr 2013

Date Written: April 15, 2011

Abstract

Speculation about gender differences has a long standing tradition. If it is not the size of the brains, then it is mathematical ability; if it is not impulses toward aggression, then it is interhemispheric transfer of information; if it is not preferences in types of play activities, then it is pleasure in genital sexuality. For as long as there has been neuroscience there has been scientific interest in differences between male and female brains (and their psychological implications). In this paper, I critically appraise the book "Delusions of Gender," in which the British psychologist Cordelia Fine criticizes neuroscientific claims about gender differences (and their interpretations by popular science writers).

Keywords: gender, gender differences, neuroscience, socialization

JEL Classification: J16

Suggested Citation

Hardies, Kris, The Neverending Story of 'Hard-Wired' Gender Differences (April 15, 2011). Sex Roles, Vol. 65, No. 5, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2254273

Kris Hardies (Contact Author)

University of Antwerp ( email )

Department of Accounting and Finance
Pleinlaan 13
Antwerp, 2000
Belgium

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