Do you think like a man or a woman, or both.
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:13 pm
A scientist, namely Professor Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge University, last month presented his findings of a study completed on 278 individuals, designed to measure how much they empathised with other people and their ability to understand and analyse systems.
They found that women tended to have a higher score on the empathy test and men on the systems test, which was consistent with many other similar studies coducted over the years on male and female brains.
They also found that 17% of the men and 14% of the women scored considerably higher on the test in which the opposite sex usually did better. A third of all participants also had 'balanced brains' which displayed characteristics of both genders.
Professor Baron-Cohen's studies have also found evidence that the 'sex' of the brain had already been determined in babies only one day old, he also added,"Our discoveries could have a lot of practical uses, e.g for instance in schools, we believe male and female brains could benefit from different teaching styles.
He also said that not all men had the typical male brain which focussed on systemising and certainly not all women had a female brain which focussed on empathising. He also said that the differences between the brains of men and women are measureable and he found it fascinating to see how individuals fit or don't fit into these trends.
He said that his research shows that one in five men have a 'female' brain and that one in seven women have a 'male' brain.
Below are the 40 questions which formed part of the research.
They scored on the system of 2 points for any statement you strongly agree with which applies to you, one point for any statement you slightly agree with and no points for any statement you slightly or strongly disagree with.
The first 20 questions equals the Systemising Quotient and the last 20 the Empathising Quotient. They scored it so that if your SQ total is greater than your EQ total then you have a 'male wired brain' and vice versa you have a 'female wired brain'. If they are even then you have a balanced brain.
Personally I have never attached much credence to these type of personality tests, but then again I suppose who am I to argue with scientists, we all have to make our own minds up about what we agree or disagree with, I'm always of the firm opinion that who and what we all are is laid out for us before we're born, therefore we have no say in who we are.
Anyway, here are the 40 questions, have fun with it, some of them are not dissimilar from the Cogiati Test, but then there are only so many variations of questions which can be asked.
The Systemising Quotietent.
1. I prefer to read non-fiction rather than fiction
2. If there was a problem with the electrical wiring in my home, I'd be able to fix it.
3. I often read articles or web pages about new technology.
4. I enjoy games that involve a high degree of strategy.
5. I am fascinated by how machines work.
6. I find it easy to follow instruction manuals.
7.When I cook, I think about exactly how different methods and ingredients contribute to the final product.
8. I find it easy to read and understand maps.
9. If I had a collection e.g coins, stamps, it would be highly organised.
10. When I learn about historical events, I focus on the exact dates.
11. When I read the newspaper, I am drawn to tables of information.
12. When I learn a language, I am intrigued by its grammatical rules.
13. I find it easy to find my way around in a new city.
14. I often watch science documentaries on TV or read articles about science and nature.
15. I find it easy to grasp exactly how odds work in betting.
16. I am meticulous when I carry out DIY.
17. I find it easy to understand information the bank sends me on investment and saving systems.
18. When I buy a new appliance I read the instruction manual thoroughly.
19. When I read something, I always notice whether it is grammatically correct.
20. I read legal documents carefully.
....................................................
Now the Empathising System.
1. I can easily tell if someone else wants to enter a conversation.
2. I really enjoy caring for people.
3. I find it easy to know what to do in a social situation.
4. It bothers me if I am late meeting a friend.
5. In a conversation, I focus on what my listener might be thinking, not just my own thoughts.
6. I am good at predicting how someone will feel.
7. I can pick up quickly if someone says one thing but means another.
8. It is easy for me to see why some things upset people so much.
9. I find it easy to put myself in somebody else's shoes.
10. I am quick to spot when someone in a group is feeling awkward or uncomfortable.
11. If I say something that offends someone I feel bad about it.
12. If anyone asked me if I liked their haircut, I'd lie if I didn't like it.
13. I find it easy to understand why people sometimes get offended by remarks.
14. Seeing people cry upsets me.
15. When I talk to people I talk about their experiences rather than my own.
16.I am good at understanding people's thoughts and feelings.
17. I am unable to make decisions without being influenced by other people.
18. I get emotionally involved when watching a film.
19. I don't consciously work out the rules of social situations.
20. I appreciate the other person's viewpoint, even if I don't agree with it.
.......................................
So there it is, so score 2 points for each statement you agree with strongly, 1 point for each statement you agree slightly with and no points if you disagree. Add up your total of the SQ test and the EQ test to give you a total out of the maximum 40 points, and if your SQ total is greater than your EQ total then you have a 'male' brain, if your EQ total is greater than your SQ total you have a 'female brain' and if your scores are even you have abalanced brain, but take it all as serious or as lightly as you wish, it's a personal belief, I don't believe it's definitive, but then as I said, who am I to argue with scientists.
Kind Regards to all.
Sally.
They found that women tended to have a higher score on the empathy test and men on the systems test, which was consistent with many other similar studies coducted over the years on male and female brains.
They also found that 17% of the men and 14% of the women scored considerably higher on the test in which the opposite sex usually did better. A third of all participants also had 'balanced brains' which displayed characteristics of both genders.
Professor Baron-Cohen's studies have also found evidence that the 'sex' of the brain had already been determined in babies only one day old, he also added,"Our discoveries could have a lot of practical uses, e.g for instance in schools, we believe male and female brains could benefit from different teaching styles.
He also said that not all men had the typical male brain which focussed on systemising and certainly not all women had a female brain which focussed on empathising. He also said that the differences between the brains of men and women are measureable and he found it fascinating to see how individuals fit or don't fit into these trends.
He said that his research shows that one in five men have a 'female' brain and that one in seven women have a 'male' brain.
Below are the 40 questions which formed part of the research.
They scored on the system of 2 points for any statement you strongly agree with which applies to you, one point for any statement you slightly agree with and no points for any statement you slightly or strongly disagree with.
The first 20 questions equals the Systemising Quotient and the last 20 the Empathising Quotient. They scored it so that if your SQ total is greater than your EQ total then you have a 'male wired brain' and vice versa you have a 'female wired brain'. If they are even then you have a balanced brain.
Personally I have never attached much credence to these type of personality tests, but then again I suppose who am I to argue with scientists, we all have to make our own minds up about what we agree or disagree with, I'm always of the firm opinion that who and what we all are is laid out for us before we're born, therefore we have no say in who we are.
Anyway, here are the 40 questions, have fun with it, some of them are not dissimilar from the Cogiati Test, but then there are only so many variations of questions which can be asked.
The Systemising Quotietent.
1. I prefer to read non-fiction rather than fiction
2. If there was a problem with the electrical wiring in my home, I'd be able to fix it.
3. I often read articles or web pages about new technology.
4. I enjoy games that involve a high degree of strategy.
5. I am fascinated by how machines work.
6. I find it easy to follow instruction manuals.
7.When I cook, I think about exactly how different methods and ingredients contribute to the final product.
8. I find it easy to read and understand maps.
9. If I had a collection e.g coins, stamps, it would be highly organised.
10. When I learn about historical events, I focus on the exact dates.
11. When I read the newspaper, I am drawn to tables of information.
12. When I learn a language, I am intrigued by its grammatical rules.
13. I find it easy to find my way around in a new city.
14. I often watch science documentaries on TV or read articles about science and nature.
15. I find it easy to grasp exactly how odds work in betting.
16. I am meticulous when I carry out DIY.
17. I find it easy to understand information the bank sends me on investment and saving systems.
18. When I buy a new appliance I read the instruction manual thoroughly.
19. When I read something, I always notice whether it is grammatically correct.
20. I read legal documents carefully.
....................................................
Now the Empathising System.
1. I can easily tell if someone else wants to enter a conversation.
2. I really enjoy caring for people.
3. I find it easy to know what to do in a social situation.
4. It bothers me if I am late meeting a friend.
5. In a conversation, I focus on what my listener might be thinking, not just my own thoughts.
6. I am good at predicting how someone will feel.
7. I can pick up quickly if someone says one thing but means another.
8. It is easy for me to see why some things upset people so much.
9. I find it easy to put myself in somebody else's shoes.
10. I am quick to spot when someone in a group is feeling awkward or uncomfortable.
11. If I say something that offends someone I feel bad about it.
12. If anyone asked me if I liked their haircut, I'd lie if I didn't like it.
13. I find it easy to understand why people sometimes get offended by remarks.
14. Seeing people cry upsets me.
15. When I talk to people I talk about their experiences rather than my own.
16.I am good at understanding people's thoughts and feelings.
17. I am unable to make decisions without being influenced by other people.
18. I get emotionally involved when watching a film.
19. I don't consciously work out the rules of social situations.
20. I appreciate the other person's viewpoint, even if I don't agree with it.
.......................................
So there it is, so score 2 points for each statement you agree with strongly, 1 point for each statement you agree slightly with and no points if you disagree. Add up your total of the SQ test and the EQ test to give you a total out of the maximum 40 points, and if your SQ total is greater than your EQ total then you have a 'male' brain, if your EQ total is greater than your SQ total you have a 'female brain' and if your scores are even you have abalanced brain, but take it all as serious or as lightly as you wish, it's a personal belief, I don't believe it's definitive, but then as I said, who am I to argue with scientists.
Kind Regards to all.
Sally.
) So a man with a male wired brain wouldn't be bothered about turning up late to meet a friend...that is not a male thing, that is a 'I have no manners or respect thing'....this is like sugar and spice and all things nice..slugs and snails and puppy dog tails!