Our starting point will be the scientifically demonstrated theory that the cognitive (perceptual and information processing), emotional and perhaps pulsional patterns of men and women are different, being conditioned by brain anatomy and exposure to different hormones.
It is known that prenatal exposure of the fetal brain to androgens (male hormone) at a critical gestational age can irreversibly masculinize the individual’s postnatal behavior. The highest concentration of receptors for this hormone is found in a nucleus of the brain that controls reproduction and sexual behavior.
Sexual dimorphism
Depending on gender, behavior can be classified into four broad categories:
- Nuclear sexual identity: fundamental identification of the “I” as male or female.
- Gender behavior: involving participation in activities that are typically male or female.
- Gender sexual orientation: which refers to the choice of a partner of one sex or the other.
- Cognitive differences: diversity in perceptual and information processing abilities.
Women have greater connections between the left and right cerebral hemispheres. This allows for greater interaction between the two hemispheres and gives them greater verbal capacity, auditory acuity and intuition.
In men, the hemispheres are further apart, which leads to a greater ability for a special type of thinking and spatial visualization. In general, they are better at solving technical problems, but on the other hand, they are unable to attend to several simultaneous tasks and have a lower emotional and empathetic response than women.
- Men tend to think globally, women dwell more on details and nuances.
- Women select the most valuable knowledge, men tend to be more constructive.
- Men think and act more independently and women prefer to rely on the suggestions of others.
- Women are more self-critical of themselves and men tend to be more satisfied with their performance.
- Men pursue status and prosperity more and women put family first.
- Women value interpersonal relationships more and men need to achieve concrete goals.
- Men are less tolerant of pain and monotonous work, women get sick less but are more concerned about their health.
To improve human relationships and avoid confusion, it is important to take into account the different ways of processing information and responding to stimuli. In addition, it should be taken into account that between 15 and 20 percent of men have a “female-type” brain and about 10 percent of women have a “male-type” brain, so that a first contact may be misleading to “understand” the keys to the model to be followed.
Conclusions
It is important to note that biology is not immune to social stimuli. Therefore, men and women will communicate better if they have the culture, without social conditioning, that enhances their capabilities regardless of their sex.
We cannot ignore the fact that we are fundamentally the same, but that we have something innate, genetic or hormonal, that makes both genders psychologically different. If advertisers take them into account, why shouldn’t we take them into account on a daily level?
Is it the crisis of the real couple, is it an inevitable evil of our times, or is it due to a communication problem? This is often due to the fact that each one has interpreted the verbal or bodily information in his or her own way and, generally, erroneously.
In short, arguments should opt for a complementary model that facilitates rapprochement and personal growth, and in which empathy predominates.