The Essential Difference: Male And Female Brains And The Truth About Autism

I read it just after reading his book on Autism an Asperger. It is a good book, but repeats lots of things already explained in the other book. I was expecting too much of it. If this had been my first book by the author , I would have loved it though ; clear, easy to read...

This is an excellent book and good reading. Baron-Cohen does a superb job in explaining difficult theoretical concepts about the autistic mind with easy to understand language. His writing style keeps your interest. What I enjoyed the most was his explanation of the differences between the male and female brain.

As a psychologist, I've worked with children with Autism Spectrum. Simon Baron Cohen is a leading authority in this area and I respect his work. This book presented his research on significant differences in the male and female brain that are new to me and fascinating in their implications. I would highly recommend the book.

Fascinating book that gave me lots to think about. I found myself discussing the ideas with others. I liked how the book was based on solid research and challenged previous ideas. I also like that the author discusses gender in a respectful way, without using stereotypes. I just wish this book was longer.

Anyone who says this book is sexist didn't read the preface. This book is based on statistical averages. It's not blind stereotypes that most people use to judge the genders; it's rooted in science. If people are offended by this book, they are unlikely to have a (S)-type brain that is able to systematize and appreciate this book for what it is... one man's observations based upon data.This is a very interesting read for anyone who wants to become enlightened about the differences between men and females --- on average. We all know there are exceptions. Right?

This is a pioneering presentation of a theory, or explanation, for some widely known facts, such as that autism spectrum behaviors are far more prevalent in boys and men than they are in girls and women. It also provides an explanation for the observation that autistic characteristics occur in varying degrees of intensity, such as Kannerts Autism, high functioning autism, Asperberg's Syndrome, etc. Unfortunately, a branch of radical feminism has preferred to remain impervious to empirical data, under the politically correct mantra, and criticized the contents of the book as politically incorrect.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Aspergberg's Syndrome and other autistic spectrum behaviors.

Explains the differences between the masculine brain type and the feminine brain typeHighly recommend for anyone interested in human psychology

I've read several books in the area, and this is by far the best. It does include the key scientific findings, albeit without the level of detail that is available from other sources. What's particularly interesting is Baron-Cohen's thesis about the primary difference between male/female brains being along the axes of empathy (female) and systemizing (male), and the experimental evidence he presents for this theory.<P(...)P>It is disappointing to see some of the negative reviews posted about this book when Baron-Cohen is so careful to address the points they raise. He is not saying that autistics don't feel strong emotion -- he says they have low levels of empathy, which makes it hard for them to relate well with other people. He is not saying women are inferior -- he says they are superior (on average) in empathy, while men are superior (on average) in systemizing.All in all an excellent work with some interesting new ideas and supporting evidence. Baron-Cohen is careful to indicate what we know and what is plausible speculation that requires more research. Highly recommended!

99% good book. All should read.

cant remember

Brilliant read.

A pesar de existir la moda ideológica que niega las diferencias biológicas entre hombres y mujeres; que supone todo comportamiento como producto de la cultura, el autor expone evidencias de las diferencias promedio entre sexos basadas en la biología; los genes, las gónadas, las hormonas así como las estructuras cerebrales diferentes –en promedio. Esto sin negar el papel modelador de la cultura.La forma en que lo hace es asumiendo que la diferencia esencial entre ambos sexos es la capacidad de empatizar y de sistematizar. Mientras que la mujer es mejor en promedio para lo primero, el hombre es mejor para lo segundo. Teoría que responde y complementa propuestas anteriores, que suponían que ciertas habilidades individuales son mejores un sexo con respecto al otro, como las habilidades verbales, en el caso de las mujeres, y el reconocimiento de los patrones espaciales, en el caso de los hombres. Cohen apunta a que estas propuestas se pueden subsumir en su teoría.Empatizar supone la habilidad para sentir y entender las emociones y pensamientos ajenos y saber responder adecuadamente a ellos. Lo que se traduce en saber convivir de manera más estrecha y con mayor concordia. De tal modo, las habilidades verbales, que también ayudan a ello, pueden subsumirse en esta categoría. Mientas que sistematizar supone la habilidad para reconocer sistemas, jerarquías, mecanismos, y objetos impersonales en general así como sus relaciones. Lo cual puede incluir la habilidad para reconocer patrones espaciales.Asimismo el autor supone que estas habilidades tienden a ser excluyentes. Mientras se tiene más de una, es menor la otra. Lo que posteriormente deriva en la propuesta central de libro. El cerebro en extremo masculino, con alta capacidad para sistematizar y poca para empatizar, se puede identificar con el cerebro de individuos con algún grado del espectro autista.La manera de demostrar estas diferencias, que él llama esenciales, es aportando datos de psicología, genética, endocrinología y neurociencias desde culturas muy diversas y a partir del vientre materno hasta la madurez, e incluso en animales –tanto ratas como simios y monos–. Así pues contestando fuertemente al reduccionismo cultural; si las diferencias promedio se dan en culturas muy diversas, y están presentes desde antes de que pueda haber aprendizaje –sin el cual, evidentemente, la cultura no influye–, y además se dan en especies distintas que es posible relacionar con nosotros por el parentesco genético y fisiológico, entonces el comportamiento está regido por algo más que la cultura. Asimismo, se consideran las posibles influencias en la cultura para que existan dichas diferencias, y si tienen peso suficiente para ser el único factor de las mismas; se concluye que si bien la cultura influye en el comportamiento, no es determinante.Aunque el autor aporta suficientes datos para sostener que existen las diferencias biológicas mencionadas, y que el espectro autista posee mucho de lo que es típico en el comportamiento masculino, la forma de enmarcar su propuesta adolece de inexactitud. –defecto nada raro en pensadores e investigadores cuyo propósito es aportar algo nuevo–, así como las opiniones que él deriva de los datos o de su propio marco teórico.

Il libro, decisamente illuminante, è rivolto a non tecnici e scritto in linguaggio informale. Questo è in parte anche il suo limite, perché per rendere chiara la teoria di fondo, tutto sommato semplice, la mole di esempi portati rende la lettura un po' dispersiva. Interessante, ma poteva essere più sintetico.

The book is absolutely amazing! However, half of the book is unclearly printed and therefore hardly readable. My eyes are exhausted when my mind is being blown.