PS287 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill, Casual Sex, Grey Matter
Document Summary
Thought women were more bilateral than men evidence mixed: no sex difference in shape or size of corpus callosum; differences in structure may not lead to differences in function. People assume brain is static but it is malleable: e. g. study of juggling showed changes in motion processing, e. g. study of flute/violin showed increased ability to detect auditory frequency. Conclude some sex differences in structure: males more white matter (connections) Females more gray matter (brain cells: differences in synaptic patterns but meaning is unclear. Sexual behaviour: male attitudes toward casual sex, male preference of more sexual partners. Contemporary interpretations: ho(cid:396)(cid:374)e(cid:455): a(cid:396)gued (cid:449)o(cid:373)e(cid:374)(cid:859)s desi(cid:396)e was not for a male penis but male power. Solution for roles to change: men involved in parenting. 2 tenets: observational learning / modelling reinforcement. Suggests behaviour is appropriate: makes behavior cognitively accessible. Experimental studies increase spatial skills in m and w. So one reason for sex difference is that boys have more experience than girls.
