Skip to main content

Problem Solvers and Solution Seekers—The Difference Between Intra-compared with Inter-hemispheric Connectivity

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 544 Accesses

Part of the book series: The Neuroscience of Business ((TNoB))

Abstract

The typical male brain functions in either the right or the left hemisphere. It is suggested that this creates in men a preference for binary solutions (either/or) and that this is especially productive for problem-solving. Women’s brains, on the other hand, typically function by integrating both hemispheres (both/and); so that women understand the continuous process of creating outcomes and solutions that are not especially goal focused but continuous, iterative steps towards emerging solutions. The value of these two different modes of operating is explored. This chapter is central to an argument that runs throughout the book, which is that the feminist demand for equality needs to be replaced by a proper understanding of the value of the difference. The possible resolution of disparity between male and female pay rates will not, it is proposed, enable access to the best of both brains. Only a re-valuing of the differences will do this.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

eBook
USD   24.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   32.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   37.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Baron-Cohen, S. (2003). The essential difference: Men, women and the extreme male brain (p. 3). New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelright, S., & Hill, J. (2001). Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 42, 241–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buck, R. W., Savin, V. J., Miller, R. E., & Caul, W. F. (1972). Communication of affect through facial expression in humans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 23(3), 362–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connellan, J., Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelright, S., et al. (2001). Sex differences in human neonatal social perception. Infant Behaviour and Development, 23, 113–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberg, N., & Lennon, R. (1983). Sex differences in empathy related capacities. Psychological Bulletin, 94, 100–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, M. L. (1977). Sex differences in empathy and related behaviours. Psychological Bulletin, 84, 712–722.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lutchmaya, S., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2002). Human sex differences in social and non-social looking preferences at 12 months of age. Infant Behaviour and Development, 24(4), 319–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGilchrist, I. (2009). The master and his emissary. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuinness, D., & Symonds, J. (1977). Sex differences in choice behaviour: The object-person dimension. Perception, 6(6), 691–694.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingalhalikar, M., Smith, A., Parker, D., Satterthwaite, T. D., Elliott, M. A., Ruparel, K., et al. (2014, January 14). Sex differences in the structural connectome of the human brain. PNAS, 111(2), 823–828. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1316909110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kate Lanz .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Lanz, K., Brown, P. (2020). Problem Solvers and Solution Seekers—The Difference Between Intra-compared with Inter-hemispheric Connectivity. In: All the Brains in the Business. The Neuroscience of Business. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22153-9_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics