Billington et al. - Brain Types

Related to the Baron-Cohen cognitive study, this study attempts to give an explanation for the imbalance in gender among students admitted to hard science and Maths as opposed to humanities and arts courses.

 

The supposition is that two extreme 'brain types' or thinking approaches exist, each of which is associated with one gender.  Systemizing focuses on rules of systems, cause and effect and maybe more typical of male thinking.  Empathising focuses on emotions and social situations and may be more typical of female thinking.

 

The researchers test the hypothesis that it is the cognitive approach rather than gender per se which gives the best prediction for entry into science or humanities.