Are Male and Female Brains Really Different? Science Has an Answer

For centuries, scientists and society alike have debated whether male and female brains are fundamentally different. From cognitive abilities to emotional processing, gender-based brain differences have been used to explain everything from career choices to behavioral patterns. But emerging neuroscience challenges many of these long-held beliefs.

Scientists suggest that exploring the biological factors behind variations in neurological and psychiatric disorders could pave the way for more effective, sex-specific treatments. (Image credit: Photo illustration by Marilyn Perkins; source image by hidesy via Getty Images)

The Science Behind Brain Differences

Historically, research suggested that male and female brains vary in structure and function. Some studies found that male brains are, on average, slightly larger, while female brains tend to have a thicker corpus callosum (the bridge connecting the two hemispheres). These findings led to assumptions about gendered cognitive strengths—such as men excelling in spatial reasoning and women in verbal skills. However, modern neuroscience is painting a more nuanced picture.

More Similar Than Different

Recent studies suggest that male and female brains are more alike than distinct. Differences in brain size are proportional to overall body size and do not necessarily translate to cognitive or behavioral disparities. Moreover, advanced imaging techniques reveal that most brains exhibit a blend of traditionally "male" and "female" traits rather than fitting into strict categories. This challenges the idea that biological sex dictates mental abilities or personality traits.

The most well-documented structural difference between male and female brains is the average variation in total brain volume. While many studies—though not all—indicate that the putamen is generally larger in males, findings on other structures, such as the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and thalamus, have been less consistent. Eliot and colleagues highlighted these variations, which were reported in the UK Biobank study. (Image credit: Marilyn Perkins)

The Role of Environment and Socialization

One crucial factor often overlooked in the brain difference debate is the impact of environment and socialization. From early childhood, boys and girls are exposed to different expectations, experiences, and cultural norms that shape their thinking patterns and behaviors. The brain is highly adaptable, meaning that external influences play a significant role in how it develops and functions over time.

Similar to adults, differences in whole-brain volume have been consistently observed in children of different sexes. However, findings on size variations in smaller brain structures have been less consistent across studies. The graphic above illustrates the results of the 2024 study on newborns. (Image credit: Marilyn Perkins)

Implications for Society

The emerging understanding of brain similarities has profound implications. It challenges stereotypes that dictate career paths, educational opportunities, and even leadership roles based on gender. Recognizing that intelligence, creativity, and emotional intelligence are not biologically predetermined can help foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

A New Perspective

Instead of viewing male and female brains as fundamentally different, science encourages us to appreciate the brain’s complexity and adaptability. Moving beyond outdated notions allows for a deeper understanding of individual potential, unburdened by gender biases.

This figure illustrates the connections between brain networks in the cortex and non-cortical structures (top left) in relation to children's sexes and genders. The heatmap in the top right represents correlations between different networks and sex, with warmer colors indicating stronger correlations and cooler colors indicating weaker ones. The bottom two heatmaps display correlations with gender scores derived from parents' questionnaires, with the left-bottom map showing data for children assigned female at birth (AFAB) and the right-bottom map showing data for children assigned male at birth (AMAB). (Image credit: Dhamala et al., 2024, doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adn4202)