January 2011
9 posts
In a new study using a “functional magnetic resonance imaging” (fMRI) scanner, researchers studied brain activity in 10 men and 10 women listening to someone read a mystery novel out loud. The researchers found that men used the left half of their brains while listening to the novel, while the women used both halves of their brains. “Our research suggests language processing is different between men and women, but it doesn’t necessarily mean performance is going to be different,” said Indiana radiologist and co-author Dr. Joseph T. Lurito. “We don’t know if the difference is because of the way we’re raised, or if it’s hard-wired in the brain.” Of course, when these results were published in the media, many women began to say, “So that’s why men don’t listen very well. They only use half their brains!”
