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Exteme male brain theory 'unhelpful'

TheCatWoman

Say's Simon Baron Cohen, the man who came up wth the phrase in the first place has said in an interview with the Guardian. He believes that it's not been helpful, or saying that autistic people lack empathy, when what we really have is often problems knowing what people are thinking or feeling from facial expressions, but have no lack of empathy regarding peoples feelings once they know what they are. He has also acknowleged that the terms "male and female" brains dosen't really mean anything.

I'm glad he's said this and I hope it clears up some of the misconceptions about us.

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  • in reply to Alien0n3arth

    Sometimes people just want a rant, they've had a crap day, inanimate objects ganging up on them, inconsiderate drivers, late buses etc and the best thing one can do is agree with them, there isn't anything to be fixed as such or if there is then the right tools to use are on either side of the head, the ears. However if there is something thats not working then someone trying to help solve the problem is really good, as long as you don't ask them if the've tried the obvious. I get shouted at by people who want to help me, but seem to treat me like a 5 year old asking really simple questions. I think the balance is accepting others are intelligent human beings who've tried solving something to the best of their ability and now need something a bit more specialised.

  • in reply to Alien0n3arth

    Because most people are looking for emotional support first, not a solution. For me, a solution solves the emotional issues, assuming I can identify what they are. So I do it the opposite way round.

    This tendency to avoid leading with an emotional response, due to maybe not knowing what is appropriate, is a cause of some of the disconnect.

    Note that it is a generic male tendency to look for solutions to problems first, whereas it is generic female tendency to listen and offer support and understanding first.

    This tendency, together with systematizing, is partly behind the idea of a male brain approach.