Brain Sex Book

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Brain Sex: The Real Difference Between Men and Women by Anne, Ph.D. Moir , David Jessel

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Has anyone read this book? I just started it yesterday, but it seems fascinating. It would seem to go a long way to explain homosexual/lesbian behavior and a lot else. It all is alleged to start with the 6-week-old foetus and the hormone level (testosterone) that it's exposed to that makes the difference in whether the brain will be female/male or how female/male.

The author cites studies on rats and how this infusion of male hormone at the critical stage in brain development makes all the difference in the sexual behavior of the rat. They are trying to approximate/duplicate the critical stage in human brain development. For instance, rats can be made to be homosexual by hormone treatment, but only at the critical stage of development of brain. In rats this occurs after the rat is born, in humans it is in utero.

This book came highly recommended by a couple of friends and I think it has a lot of food for thought.

Pat

safe4kids

Hey Pat

Haven't read the book; however, I saw a film regarding this same subject (even titled the same) in my first year Intro to Psych class. Apparently, it must have been based on the info in the book as it was all about the different levels of hormones released during pregnancy and the link between homosexuality. I found it fascinating as well and it was the first time that I began to seriously think about homosexuality NOT being a choice for an individual.

It was several years ago that I saw the film, so my memory of the details is a bit hazy, but as I recall, it didn't deal with lesbianism but did seem to draw an interesting link between the lack of testosterone released to the fetus (due to trauma to the mother during a specific time in the pregnancy) and later development of homosexuality. And the behavior of the rats was COOL!

I'd be interested in hearing more about the studies done and your thoughts regarding them as you get further along in the book.

Dana

Edited by - safe4kids on 31 July 2002 10:23:11

waiting

No, I haven't heard of that book (but that's not unusual for me) - but it does look interesting. Since there seems to be a high prevalence in my side (and first husband's side) of the family - would be interesting to read this theory.

Interesting concept. Thanks

waiting

SixofNine

I think this was the book that has the test you can take to determin what sex is your brain (percentage thereof)?

I posted the test on Witnet several years ago, w/o letting people score the test themselves. I then posted results a bit later.

It was very interesting, especially amongst that big group of dubs. The results can be surprising, and I think the test is valid, although I'm not too sure about whether the results really indicate "maleness" or "femaleness" of the brain.

I have a feeling if certain people took the test here, it might reveal precisely the origin of their predilection and obsession with "femininity".

How about posting the test (w/o the scoring) here, Patio?

patio34

Hi Dana,

Even tho I just started the book, it does seem to proffer reason for lesbian behavior too, in that if a female foetus gets a dose of testerone at the critical time, it changes the brain.

Hey Waiting, thanks for the post. If you have a preponderance of it in your family, that would mean me too! It is a fascinating concept and seems to be quantifiable in that rats can be changed if their brains are treated with the hormones at the critical time of development. Later it makes no difference.

Hi Six,

I'll look for the test in the book later when I get home.

Pat

SYN

6of9: Hehehehe. Sounds like a great idea!

TheStar

Patio,

Haven't read the book but The Learning Channel is currently showing a series every Monday called "How to Build a Human". The very first episode of the series a couple of weeks ago delt with this very issue about how hormones effect the sex of your brain. It was very interesting.

They showed a woman that had always wanted to be a man so she started getting testosterone injections. Her voice deepened and she started growing facial hair but that wasn't all they discoverd. They had her take a "brain" test before she started the treatment and her test results were female but after only a short time having testosterone injections, she took the test again and her brain function had crossed over to being more male than female. I can't remember all the details of that "brain test" but I do remember for example one part of the test envolved looking at words on a screen and picking certain words out ( something like that anyway, don't remember exactly). Supposedly woman were more prone to see certain words and men are more prone to pick out others, or something to that nature.

They also told the story of a woman that was genetically male but physically female. When she reached college and had not started her menstrual cycle, she got concerned and went to see a doctor about it. After running tests they found out she had an X and a Y chromosome, thus should have been a boy not a girl but she has a rare syndrome in which her body does not respond to testosterone. They explained how since her body did not respond to the testosterone while developing in the fetus, she did not develope testicles or a penis, the only choice her body had was to make her female but since she had a Y chormosome she didn't develope a Uterus or felopian tubes either. She basically had a vagina but no corresponding sexual organs, so she would never have a period or have children. She was also very tall and her bone structure was big like a mans because of the Y chromosome but since her body does not respond to testosterone her brain is female.

I found it extremely interesting to say the least. Let me know what you think of the book when your done reading it, I might want to read it if you give a good review. [ ;)]

patio34

Hi 6of9,

I put the Brain Sex Test on this thread:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=33508&site=3

But I did put the scoring as it seemed fairer.

Hi Star,

The LC series sounds as if it's based on the same studies and theories. The book covers the XY chromosone in the little I've read. If the boy has the chromosones but the infusion of testerone doesn't happen for some reason in the 6 weeks or so after conception, all sorts of odd things can happen. The book is really fascinating so far.

patio34

Additionally this book's theory goes a long way towards explaining homosexual behavior and why there have always been homosexuals.

It flies directly in the face of the fundamentalist argument that it's a sin. It's brain wiring and it's just something that happens. It's not wrong, sinful, or anything of the sort. It just is. There is no grand plan nor design; as with all of nature and evolution, it just is. It happens and there's no right nor wrong about it.

You'll probably never see this set of theory and studies written about in the Watchtower!

Pat

TheStar

I saw another program on this subject last night on ABC.

ABC News Special The Brain Game: What's Sex Got to Do with It? Hosted by Dr. Nancy Snyderman 60 min.
Medical correspondent Nancy Snyderman explores the differences between male and female behavior in this thought-provoking hour.

Although their everyday tasks are practically identical, men and women perform them in very different ways. Dr. Snyderman consults researchers who have studied how brain activity dictates everything from driving a car to falling in---and out---of love. She also learns about new treatments for psychological disorders. In one particularly interesting segment, Snyderman tests five men and five women to gauge their visual and spatial skills. The fascinating exercise might inspire viewers to test themselves during the show.

It seem all of the sudden in the last few weeks this subject has shown up all over the place.

Last night I learned why I will tell my husband to go down the street until you see the McDonalds and then turn right and he will tell me go 2 miles and turn West.

I'm definately getting the book.

Edited by - TheStar on 1 August 2002 10:44:43

Brain Sex Book

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