News and Events => Science & Medical News => Topic started by: DragonBeer on January 27, 2015, 01:57:04 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Neuroscience Proves What We've Known All Along: Gender Exists on a Spectrum
Post by: DragonBeer on January 27, 2015, 01:57:04 PM
Post by: DragonBeer on January 27, 2015, 01:57:04 PM
Neuroscience Proves What We've Known All Along: Gender Exists on a Spectrum
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ravishly/neuroscience-proves-what-_b_6494820.html
Author: Ravishly (?)
Posted: Jan 20th, 2015
"Ever wonder about the brain's white matter microstructure diffusivity? Don't know what the hell we're talking about? Well, start paying attention . . . because it may be important in determining our gender identity.
Earlier this month, the Medical University of Vienna issued a press release announcing that "the very personal gender identity of every human being is reflected and verifiable in the cross-links between brain regions," with distinctions specifically in what's known as brain "white matter.""
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ravishly/neuroscience-proves-what-_b_6494820.html
Author: Ravishly (?)
Posted: Jan 20th, 2015
"Ever wonder about the brain's white matter microstructure diffusivity? Don't know what the hell we're talking about? Well, start paying attention . . . because it may be important in determining our gender identity.
Earlier this month, the Medical University of Vienna issued a press release announcing that "the very personal gender identity of every human being is reflected and verifiable in the cross-links between brain regions," with distinctions specifically in what's known as brain "white matter.""
Title: Re: Neuroscience Proves What We've Known All Along: Gender Exists on a Spectrum
Post by: Jill F on January 27, 2015, 02:09:00 PM
Post by: Jill F on January 27, 2015, 02:09:00 PM
Awesome article showing more evidence that gender is not, as far too many seem to assume, a black-and-white binary system.
Title: Re: Neuroscience Proves What We've Known All Along: Gender Exists on a Spectrum
Post by: suzifrommd on January 27, 2015, 06:20:14 PM
Post by: suzifrommd on January 27, 2015, 06:20:14 PM
Sorry, not buying it.
Study once more proves that transfeminine brains are different from cis male brains and transmasculine brains are different from cis female brains. We already knew that. But their data do not support the conclusion that "...trans men and trans women were different from each other, implying that the brain shows a wide range of gender based differences". Simply because there is a variation in the amount of that type of tissue does not imply that their is a variation of gender identity. To do that you'd have to prove that trans women with more of that type of tissue differ from trans women with less of it in their gender identity. They have not done that, so to conclude that these variations imply that the subjects would be differently gendered is a leap of faith.
Look, I believe strongly that gender identity is not a binary thing. I consider myself non-binary gendered. But if we're going to claim to be supported by biological science, our conclusions need to be unassailable. The conclusions of this article aren't.
Study once more proves that transfeminine brains are different from cis male brains and transmasculine brains are different from cis female brains. We already knew that. But their data do not support the conclusion that "...trans men and trans women were different from each other, implying that the brain shows a wide range of gender based differences". Simply because there is a variation in the amount of that type of tissue does not imply that their is a variation of gender identity. To do that you'd have to prove that trans women with more of that type of tissue differ from trans women with less of it in their gender identity. They have not done that, so to conclude that these variations imply that the subjects would be differently gendered is a leap of faith.
Look, I believe strongly that gender identity is not a binary thing. I consider myself non-binary gendered. But if we're going to claim to be supported by biological science, our conclusions need to be unassailable. The conclusions of this article aren't.
Title: Re: Neuroscience Proves What We've Known All Along: Gender Exists on a Spectrum
Post by: Just Kate on January 27, 2015, 10:22:41 PM
Post by: Just Kate on January 27, 2015, 10:22:41 PM
Interesting read. I too wouldn't necessarily hold it up as proof of gender (and I don't think the study's authors do anyhow), however it is leading us there as we find more sexual dimorphism in the brain.