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[Closed] New research published on gender differences in personality

geetee1972 · 2018-11-13T09:10:54Z

Some time ago I posted a number of references to the theory of systematising/empathising among other personality trait differences between men and women and the reaction was rather explosive with many people suggesting that positing such theories was tantamount to misogyny. More recently there have been very high profile examples where individuals, perhaps clumsily but not inaccurately, have offered this theory as an explanation for why we see differences in male/female representation in certain industries, for example STEM fields being over represented by men and caring professions by women. The Italian physicist at CERN and James Damore at Google are two such examples. Well now a new and extensive pieces of research has been conducted that conclusively demonstrates that the theory is correct; men on average are more likely to shift towards systematising and women towards empathising. You’ll have to read the research (link below) to understand more about what that means. It's important to acknowledge that while the effect is real, the cause is still unclear; it could just as likely be the result of social conditioning as biology; I would argue that it would have to be both and it will be very difficult to unpick. But the implications for policy and values are really important. For example, it challenges the notion that equality of outcome is something we should be aiming for (since inherent differences in preference should not be moderated out of existence as that would be deeply inefficient and counterproductive) The research also confirms the ‘extreme male’ theory, which says that in many populations, the male of the species is typically over represented at either extreme. It appears that autism is more likely to affect men; it also shows that autism is over represented in the STEM fields, suggesting that ability and preference for roles in this area are related. All very interesting stuff in pursuit if trying to better understand how best to structure our society and get the best out of what people have to offer.

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Kamakazie

Posts: 1794

Full Member

It’s not ‘my drivel’ it’s published and respected academic research.

It doesn't appear to be now it's been published and others have had a crack at reviewing it. In fact, it seems rather flawed.

We already have this though, which is why the battle ground has shifted to trying to equalise outcomes

Do you actively try and kid yourself? We are not close to achieving equality of opportunity.

Posted : 20/11/2018 10:20 am

makecoldplayhistory

Posts: 12

Free Member

"We are not close to achieving equality of opportunity."

That's the easy bit of the post.

Why don't you write the difficult bit which is explaining why?

Posted : 20/11/2018 4:11 pm

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