Exteme male brain theory 'unhelpful'

Excerpt: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364661302019046

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jul/05/autism-extreme-male-brain-simon-baron-cohen

Even though the extreme brain theory is widely considered to be history, I’m glad Baron-Cohen has expressed his regrets over the terminology. It sounds like he still backs up the science of his theory which categorises the autistic brain with the male brain, by association of behaviours, which don’t correspond to genders.

I think he could have elaborated on what he originally meant because he doesn’t reject his science, other than saying the terms he used were misunderstood.

Thanks for the links; for the paper, here is an open version from washington.edu. It's short.

I interpret that he claims that autism can be characterised as "more of a systemiser than an empathiser" brain.

The word "male" was there because systemising --he claims-- is more common in males. But if this shift happens in all groups, the emphasis can be misleading or misinterpreted.

The empathising was also refined to cognitive empathy, I think.

To my mind, "removing" the word "male" is correct.

Thanks for the links; for the paper, here is an open version from washington.edu. It's short.

I interpret that he claims that autism can be characterised as "more of a systemiser than an empathiser" brain.

The word "male" was there because systemising --he claims-- is more common in males. But if this shift happens in all groups, the emphasis can be misleading or misinterpreted.

The empathising was also refined to cognitive empathy, I think.

To my mind, "removing" the word "male" is correct.