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Original poster

Please help, need non-gendered terminology for thinking styles

40 replies

Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:08

In scientific language, I'm talking about -

"The "male brain" is a defined psychometrically as those individuals in whom systemising is significantly better than empathising" - [and ergo that female brains being generally speaking the opposite.]

or

"male brains are structured to facilitate connectivity between perception and coordinated action, whereas female brains are designed to facilitate communication between analytical and intuitive processing modes."

Can anyone think of or suggest another way to describe these contrasting styles/traits/strengths/approaches, in a way that doesn't cause consternation due to gender/sexism based implications?

YABU - stick to the male/female language, it's scientifically used (albeit also scientifically contested!)

YANBU - and I do/do not have a super alternative for you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:20

username3678 · 16/10/2024 17:19

There's no such thing as a male or female brain, however a stereotypical 'male brain' is said to be defined psychometrically as being significantly better at systemising rather than empathising.

yes this

OP posts:
Original poster
Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:19

@SmellyScrambler sorry, yes the former, alt language for systematising typologies, not literal brains of men 😊

OP posts:
username3678 · 16/10/2024 17:19

There's no such thing as a male or female brain, however a stereotypical 'male brain' is said to be defined psychometrically as being significantly better at systemising rather than empathising.

Original poster
Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:19

@GrumpyPanda well quite, hence why we're open to a better alternative

OP posts:
SmellyScrambler · 16/10/2024 17:18

Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:15

@SmellyScrambler because colleagues are getting offended, b/c they think it's controversial/sexist

Sorry that’s not what I was asking. I don’t understand whether you want a phrase for brains which are better at systematising (irrespective of whose head they are in) or for actual male brains.

Original poster
Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:18

@Genevieva we're not writing about it ourselves, just me using the scientific writings here, to support that this isn't casual sexism but actual theory based language use!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:16

@DemonicCaveMaggot oh no certainly not just 2 types, just in this instance we're talking about 2 fairly clear styles of approaching things that lend themselves to this gendered brain theory. I don't think abstract names would work as we'd all have to interpret the definition.

OP posts:
Genevieva · 16/10/2024 17:15

Honestly, I don’t think you should pander to the perpetually offended. This is clearly a scientific paper about the physiological differences between male and female brains. Anything that shies away from the biological truth would be doing everyone concerned a disservice by effectively covering up the purpose of the sentence. Call a spade a spade.

Original poster
Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:15

@SmellyScrambler because colleagues are getting offended, b/c they think it's controversial/sexist

OP posts:
Original poster
Jones3A · 16/10/2024 17:14

maybe systematising and intuiting

OP posts:
SmellyScrambler · 16/10/2024 17:13

I’m slightly confused as to whether you want a better phrase for a systematising brain or a better phrase for a brain in a man’s head.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 16/10/2024 17:12

Are there just two types of brains though?

Can you call one 'Green Brain' and the other 'Blue Brain' and give their characteristics?

Why isn't there an orange, yellow, and red brain though?

AgathaMystery · 16/10/2024 17:12

Stuck to the scientific facts.

I too teach about a subject that is specifically sex dependent, and I only use scientific language to describe these elements.

PiggleToes · 16/10/2024 17:10

Eh? Can’t you just say one type of brain and another type of brain?