Ferrari The publisher's final edited version of this article is available at Neurosci Biobehav Rev See other articles in PMC that cite the published article. Abstract Evidence suggests that there are differences in the capacity for empathy between males and females. However, how deep do these differences go? Stereotypically, females are portrayed as more nurturing and empathetic, while males are portrayed as less emotional and more cognitive. However, empathy has both evolutionary and developmental precursors, and can be studied using implicit measures, aspects that can help elucidate the respective roles of culture and biology. This article reviews evidence from ethology, social psychology, economics, and neuroscience to show that there are fundamental differences in implicit measures of empathy, with parallels in development and evolution. Examinations of the neurobiological underpinnings of empathy reveal important quantitative gender differences in the basic networks involved in affective and cognitive forms of empathy, as well as a qualitative divergence between the sexes in how emotional information is integrated to support decision making processes. Finally, the study of gender differences in empathy can be improved by designing studies with greater statistical power and considering variables implicit in gender e.
As a result of Christian Jarrett 12th October Behaviour profiles appear to reveal coherent if subtle differences between men and women — but are they meaningful? Christian Jarrett untangles a knotty and controversial ask. While our physical differences all the rage size and anatomy are apparent, the question of psychological differences between the genders is a lot more complicated and contentious. There are issues around how to reliably measure the differences. And when psychologists find them, there are usually arguments above whether the causes are inborn and biological, or social after that cultural.
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