Introduction
It is quite important for us to understand our brain and how it functions to make learning an interesting venture. The following essay highlights the various parts of the human brain and how its constitution contributes to our gender differences.
Triune brain
The human brain is divided into three layers, hence the name, “triune brain”. These parts have developed with evolution and each of them has its own functions. They include, the Reptilian Complex (R-Complex), which is the part of the brain that we share with birds and reptiles. It is involved in body maintenance and controls actions like hunger, ‘fight or flight reactions, and temperature. It is the part that acts very fast such that in case one is frightened; he/she acts without thinking. The second layer is the Limbic System, whose function is to control emotions and storage of memory for later retrieval. It is also engaged in actions concerning food, sex and feelings of love. We share this brain with mammals like dogs, horses and cats. The third part is the Cortex. Cortex controls the high level of thoughts, language, and speech. It helps us to think logically and plan ahead. It enables learning to take place and hence learning environment should be secure, free from any pressure. The three parts are interconnected with each other such that the functions interplay, hence defining every person’s individuality.
Gender Differences
Some differences experienced in the two genders can be said to be attributed to the brain composition. For instance when it comes to skills like understanding directions, men seem to outperform women. This is because women rely on neocortex in working out such tasks whereas men use the hippocampus which is located in the interior of the brain. It deciphers the information regarding one’s location at that time. In women, the hippocampus is not at work at that time hence they tend to rely more on visual features like buildings.
When it comes to information dispensation men mostly rely on the higher level of thinking (cortex/language side) while women use both sides that is, the cortex and the limbic system. With the cortex being the highest level of thinking, mostly involved in problem-solving, making sound thinking and forming language, it may enlighten on why men are not as talkative, tend to work alone and are more concerned with the outcome. On the other hand, women use both sides of the brain and in this case, emotions are in action. This is why females work better when in groups, talk a lot and are more concerned with ways on how to get to a solution other than the solution itself. Women also find fun in activities like shopping while many men find it an odd job.
Another character common in women is the ability to spot and manage certain emotions, whether facial or tonal variations, and interpret them faster than men. This is because females have more callosum which is in charge of controlling feelings of anger as compared to men.
The preoptic area is a section of the brain in the hippocampus and it controls the mating processes in human beings. This section is said to be in greater quantity in men than women and that is why men are more sexually active than women.
Conclusion
The above variations in the two sexes however do not depict one gender as being superior to the other since they are there to complement each other to help both genders.