Do men and women think differently?

[Kura Ookami]

Every individual is different, but generally speaking do men and women think differently? Or to ask a simalar question, are men and women different in any way other than the physical differences? Personally i think men and women do think differently.

[termyt]

I tend to agree. I think part of it is our up-bringing. We are taught as we grow what our gender roles are supposed to be and how we are supposed to think and behave. Those who experiment out side of their roles are generally forced back into place. With out social pressure, perhaps the differences would not be so great.

I doubt learned behavior can account for all of the differences, though, so there are likely some genetic differences, too. What we are taught about our gender role is based on our genetic predispositions, refined and even polarized by millennia of societal influence.

[SereneDolphin]

I have a story that kind of reflects this question. My brother, ever since he was a little baby, was subjected to feminine influence. He lives with three sisters and a mom, and was brought up in a world of pink, dolls, and tea parties (that of course, was when i was like, six.)

And yet, he hates pink, loves to play baseball, likes studying dinosaurs, but none of us ever really pushed any of these on him- he developed his own interests himself.

I think in general that the genders think differently, that they'll approach situations differently too. However, everyone can feel love, which is what counts, in my opinion. Although I have to say, dealing with the opposite sex has led to many arguments, and much confusion.

[uc pseudonym]

I would be inclined to say that, as a whole, men and women do think differently, due to cultural and genetic reasons. However, I would also say that each individual can vary so much that it would not be wise to apply these general rules to any given person.

[kryptech]

I do think men and women's thoughts and emotions work in somewhat different ways. I believe it is hardwired into us, and then encouraged in our upbringing. Women seem to be able to multitask better than men, whereas men seem to prefer to complete single tasks at a time. Our emotions and way of interacting with other people is rather different too - and I'd say it's an enigma to the opposite gender throughout the ages. ß-) I find it intriguing how God has created men and women psychologically suited for the roles they were given. Unfortunately sin has messed things up, but we can still see a shadow of how each gender is to compliment the other.

Let me conclude with some words of wisdom from the Relient K boys:

mood ring oh mood ring / oh tell me will you bring / the key to unlock this mystery / of girls and their emotions / play it back in slow motion / so i may understand the complex infrastructure known as the female mind

"Mood Rings"
Relient K
"Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right… But Three Do"

[Rev. Doc]

As different as night and day. Here is an interesting piece by Dr. James Dobson:

How Boys Are Wired Differently

Over the past 15 years, numerous scientific studies have conclusively proven that boys are “hardwiredâ€

[Syaoran]

ah ya men and women think diff. have you ever tryed to settel a argument with you oppiset gender

[Kisa]

LOl, there are mostly guys posting here.... yea we think different from each other.... its funny too to watch fights between opposite genders, one or the other seems clueless....

[_Sin_]

[Scientific List]

I'll just add one more thing to the list:

Women and men have different type of brains; science distinguishes between an E-Brain and an S-Brain (E=Empathy, S=Systematic). Although there is rarely an individual that has either one 100%*, people's brains are dominantely E or S. (Imagine a slide bar with E on one side and S on the other). Empiric studies have shown that women show more empathy for others because of their E-Brains and men tend to think more systematically and with less emotions than women because they have an S-Brain.

*I read of a mathematician who had an about 100% S-Brain: Although he was really good in Maths (systematical thinking and stuff), he was rude to others because he couldn't empathisize with others and was generally boring to talk to since he wouldn't laugh about any jokes.

[K. Ayato]

I know some guys who think almost exactly the same way I do. It's kinda scary, but it's neat. I don't have to translate for 'em.

[termyt]

However, I would also say that each individual can vary so much that it would not be wise to apply these general rules to any given person.

That's an important fact to keep in mind. Stereotypes can be useful to determine the best course of action or the best way to approach a large group of people. We get into trouble when we expect any one person to match the stereotype.

[Saint Kevin]

I'm not going to post in detail here as I can't add a whole lot to what's been said already, but I would say this would have been better as a poll. That way, lurkers like me without much to contribute could have been done with a mouse click.

[quote="Rev. Doc."]2. Up until six or seven weeks after conception, all embryos are technically “female.â€

[Sesshoumaru]

Yah we do.It's partly because of the way our brains function XP

[Doubleshadow]

Definately yes. God made the genders awfully distinct in some mental characteristics. Aren't there entire books dedicated to this topic?

[shadowblade]

Yep yep, I gotta agree with the rest. Men and women do think differently. Nothing wrong with being different though. ^_^

[Tsukuyomi]

It's like they say,"Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus", but we all meet on Earth.

[_Sin_]

Definately yes. God made the genders awfully distinct in some mental characteristics. Aren't there entire books dedicated to this topic?

There probably are but you should always consider who the author of the book is and when the book was written.
Same applies to the creation of Men and Women in the Bible. If I'm not completely off, there are two versions of it.

[Doubleshadow]

There probably are but you should always consider who the author of the book is and when the book was written.
Same applies to the creation of Men and Women in the Bible. If I'm not completely off, there are two versions of it.

True, there are few things as bizzare as a book on psychology written by someone who was looking for money, or frankly bored.
? That's a new one on me.

[Arbre]

I agree with UC's statement.

I grew up enjoying catching frogs in the creek near my house, loved dinosaurs, enjoyed playing with cars (although the way I played with them was different. The big toy cars were the parent cars and the little toy cars were the babies and the little cars drove down the roads together and jumped around and stuff. They talked to each other too. ), and I really enjoy competing in things. Some of those are stereotypically male things.

When compared to the social stereotypes, I'm not extremely girly (My Little Pony obsession aside >_>). That used to bother me. Sometimes it still does. But if they're just social expectations, then it shouldn't be too big of a deal because societies change and they aren't the way to determine what's right. Everyone is different. There are limits of course, but having interest in video games and not liking nail polish doesn't mean I'm messed up.

To answer the question of the thread, I do think that generally there are differences. But, there are so many variables, and in this country that embraces diversity and "equality" in basically every area of life, gender roles aren't as clearly defined, which is unfortunate in some ways. We're made different to compliment, not just be mirrors of each other.

In this culture, I'm allowed to interact with guys. Some of their personality or humor sometimes rubs off on me (I pick up things from anyone I spend time with, regardless of age or gender). My closest friends have almost always been male. I don't know why.

But I know I don't see things the same way as those friends all the time.
I'm more reserved and my feelings get hurt much more easily. But I don't tell them that most of the time so they have no idea. If I say something that bothers them, they make it obvious. I'm not sure if that's just my own problem or what, though.

[The Doctor]

....

Wow. I was wondering why my brain doesn't operate properly sometimes. Now my theories are confirmed, it was damaged at birth. Damaged when I got bathed by the Y chromosone.

The price it pays to be a man....

[Ashley]

Just 2 more personal instances to add to the mix:

1. Just because hormone levels are higher in one group doesn't mean that's what effects who you are. For example, not many know this because I don't like to talk about it, but I currently have twice the normal testosterone floating around as a typical female. The past two years I've been to several endocrinologists and they are still working out the cause/solution...in fact I have another appointment next week. But those testosterone levels don't make me think or act any less womanly than I did before I had this problem--I'm not suddenly attracted to women or completely obsessed with cars. Thus, not everything that characterizes someone as masculine or feminine can be blamed on hormones. (and I also don't attribute my love for football on this either--I think if more women were equipped with that innate football sense men have, we'd see a lot more female fans. It's not our faults half of us don't know a quarterback from a quarterpounder)

2. I've also heard that, at least in terms of sexual relationships, women think more long term and men more short term. Women *tend* to think more along the lines of forever as well as far more emotionally--for example, when dating it's been seen in studies that women tend to think about marriage, future life together, etc. Men *tend* to be more commitment-phobic and physical...or at the very least less cognizant of a future relationship. By no means am I trying to be a feminazi here, I'm just relaying what I heard. ^^;

3. I think women tend to be more concerned with details. I can't relay the number of times I've seen this simply in observing my brother and sister. For example, if my sister tells me about a phone call, it's a detailed line-by-line playbook of who said what. If my brother does, I have to beg him to "give me the details!". It's usually along the lines of, "Kevin called. We talked about stuff."

And praise our Creator we are made so differently! I think it's a wonderful thing the feminine mind works in such a unique, totally different way than the male mind...it makes for perfect harmony in marriage (and other relationships too).

[_Sin_]

True, there are few things as bizzare as a book on psychology written by someone who was looking for money, or frankly bored.

Yes, always be critical and not naive

? That's a new one on me.

I just looked for the two versions.
I'm guessing that the Adam & Eve version (27) is older then this version (23) but I don't know for sure.

You may wonder why that is important: It has something to do with the standing of the woman in our society. Being created from a man makes the woman inferior, right? Being created the same instant as the man symbolizes equality.

The first text was most likely written in a patriarchy where the standing of the woman is inferior. The second and more modern version was written much later and therefore is not as "anti-woman".

What I want to say is to always be critical of your sources since whenever there is an author there will be bias etc etc

EDIT:

Just 2 more personal instances to add to the mix:

1. Just because hormone levels are higher in one group doesn't mean that's what effects who you are. For example, not many know this because I don't like to talk about it, but I currently have twice the normal testosterone floating around as a typical female. The past two years I've been to several endocrinologists and they are still working out the cause/solution...in fact I have another appointment next week.

A higher than usual testosterone level has its advantages though! You can eat more than your usual woman and won't get fat as quickly as them so consider yourself lucky (and I don't know of drawbacks of a too high testosterone level either).

[Nate]

The first text was most likely written in a patriarchy where the standing of the woman is inferior. The second and more modern version was written much later and therefore is not as "anti-woman".

[OFF TOPIC]Interesting...I just had this conversation with someone the other day.

She asked me, "So you don't think Adam and Even were the first humans?"

I pointed her to those two statements you did and stated that Adam and Eve are mentioned AFTER God's rest on the seventh day.

Which is why Genesis, IMO, is open to interperetation.[/OFF TOPIC]

2. I've also heard that, at least in terms of sexual relationships, women think more long term and men more short term. Women *tend* to think more along the lines of forever as well as far more emotionally--for example, when dating it's been seen in studies that women tend to think about marriage, future life together, etc. Men *tend* to be more commitment-phobic and physical...or at the very least less cognizant of a future relationship.

Great...so I'm like backwards?

Just kidding. ^^;; I noticed the word "tend."

Hmm...I was pretty sure I had something important to say when I pressed the reply button, but I seem to have forgotten it somehow...guess I got too carried away in the off-topic-ness, eh? Oh, and if a mod happens to read this and thinks that my statement would cause unnecessary debate, I would not be offended if you told me to edit it or took that task upon yourself.

Well, I think my spirituality has something to do with it too. As a man of God, I am very averse to dating women just for fun. Not...that I've ever dated, mind you...and this may be part of the reason. Since I know that sex is a God-given gift not intended to be used outside of marriage, I'm not quite as focused on dating women for sexual reasons like non-believers would. Therefore, since I (probably should use future tense, eh?) would date with the purpose of finding a future mate, I am not as interested in physical aspects, but more with their personality and beliefs and such.

(THAT was what I was trying to remember!)

[agasfas]

We'll to be blunt I believe there are sterotypes on both sides...

[quote="Ashley"]I've also heard that, at least in terms of sexual relationships, women think more long term and men more short term. Women *tend* to think more along the lines of forever as well as far more emotionally--for example, when dating it's been seen in studies that women tend to think about marriage, future life together, etc. Men *tend* to be more commitment-phobic and physical...or at the very least less cognizant of a future relationship. By no means am I trying to be a feminazi here, I'm just relaying what I heard. ^^]

I don't think short term. Not all guys are looking for a cheap one night stand. Some do have more on their minds then sex. May seem wrong, but I now many people who really do think long term. But I don't think anyone should start thinking long term after a week of knowing each other... how much can you really know about someone in that time?

Also, I'm sure girls are just as guilty in the aspect of looking at physical features.... I always hear girls state; "I want this, this and this... looks don't matter." Then two minutes later forget everything they preached so hard and ogle after a good looking guy walking past. It's only natural....

Although there are some common aspects, girls and guys are very different in retrospects... Thought process that is. ALthough not always true, tests seem to show that guys are more visual and tend to do better in numbers. Girls on the otherhand tend to be more detailed oriented and seem to do better in verbal/written areas. So I've heard... I may be wrong.

Guys have this sterotype of being simple minded in the issue of relationships. That's not at all the case. I just think we are more logical. For instance...
Many girls say they don't want something, so they guy doesn't get it. Then they get mad because we are expected to read minds. It's just not right to gett mad at a guy when you give off a million different emotions and thoughts out, especially when you tell him to do something then get mad if he does it.

When it comes down to it, I think that girls tend to be more indecisive about their feelings , emotions and wants. They want one thing, then want another. THen go back to the original feeling then try another. I'm not saying you have to know what you want exactly.... but yeah whatever, girls are too indecisive.

So I don't think it's fair to only sterotype guys as being difficult or only chasing after sex or physical attraction because that's not always true. Nor for both sides... I've heard a lot of girls say some really perverted things, sometimes worse then some of the guys. I believe (am assure) that girls think about the same things as the guys, except they tend to keep it to themselves or in their small group; while guys tend to be more open because it's expected. All I know it's not only one side; thinking about S-E-X, relationships, commitment or whatever - it's both. It's just the different ways we go about it.

Hopefully I wont get chewed out for this... <.< II >.>

[shooraijin]

and I don't know of drawbacks of a too high testosterone level either

The same as with anabolic steroids, since they trip the same intracellular mechanisms: namely, oversaturation of the LH/FSH/end organ axis (leading to abnormally *low* fertility -- I'll explain the pathophysiology of this if people are interested, but basically you can overload this axis with end organ signal and gum up the works), ventricular hypertrophy and thus diminished ability for the heart to function under high-output states, increased aggressivity and sexuality (unsurprisingly), hair loss, acne, and other endocrine abnormalities such as male breast enlargement, glucose intolerance and thyroid problems. Not all of these effects are reversible.

With a physiologically high level of testosterone, you don't see these effects to the extent you do with artificially increasing them with anabolic steroids, but they're there.

[The Doctor]

Wow, I love it when a discussion turns to the mind of men vs. mind of women.

I agree with what my fellow men have stated, that not all men are looking for a cheap night. In fact, studies have shown that many men who look for cheap one nighters are using that cheap thrill as a way to meet a legitimate need for a true relationship, but they turn to an illigetimate way to get that need met.

Many men do desire a true oneness with that "one special woman" out there. Get's frustrating ALOT when all the girls are passing you by and going for these hunks or these dudes that, honestly, you don't know what they see in them. Many of these guys think they'll never get married and begin losing faith in God's perfect will and involvement in their life. (And yes, I know that by saying this most of the girls on here will assume I look like an uber-nerd. This one wishes he could disprove this theory, but just saying that others have said he's attractive won't help, and this one is far too lazy to get his scanner working again. Doubts it will anyway since this one never bothered to by virus protection for his pc and now it has 1 billion viruses and spyware on it that has slowed it down considerably. And yes, I exagerrated, but IT IS FALLING APART!!!! DON'T BE LIKE ME, FORK OUT THE DOUGH FOR ANTI-VIRUS)

So, basically, ALL genders have a deep rooted need for a real, intimate relationship, but when we hear about the "Bond's" of the world, what we're really hearing about are very lonely men who have turned to an illegitimate method of meeting a legitimate need. And when I say that men desire a real, intimate relationship, I'm not JUST talking about sex, I'm also talking about a spiritual and mental oneness with that special someone who will be your life partner.

End of monologue. Now, all genders go back to your corners, then come out swinging! :-)

[indyrocker]

Hay all you galls everd heard of the ""Fishing Trip"" most of us run from problems that we can not controle and normaly in that case its PMS we like are heads on our own bodys not the flor.

[Photosoph]

Also, they can be incredibly mean to each other, and travel in packs.

I have to agree. ^_^

Yes, I think men and women think differently. I don't know exactly how differently -I think to really understand that you'd have to switch brains... but yes.

[agasfas]

Wish I could blame all my dumb actions on sometime like hormones. Girls always have an excuse for doing mean things to us guys.

[Saint Kevin]

I think you meant to say "reproductive?" Sorry...O.T...focus...

DON'T BE LIKE ME, FORK OUT THE DOUGH FOR ANTI-VIRUS)

Doc...time to get Avast antivirus...it's free for home users.

And by the way Shoo...send me a link/resource/expanded explanation of the stuff you were saying earlier about elevated testosterone levels. A PM would be nice...as I'm not sure that everybody is interested in that sort of thing.

I have a cousin who is currently taking prednisone (a steroid) for a medical condition. She might be interested in knowing in detail the effects that they could have on her. Especially long-term effects, since she will probably be taking them forever (unless a miracle occurs). Thanks again Dr. Shoo.