- Hardcover: 154 pages
- Publisher: W&N; First Edition edition (26 Aug 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0297842765
- ISBN-13: 978-0297842767
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 14.8 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,421,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The assertion that men and women behave differently cannot be argued with, although it is devilishly hard to measure. But how many of these differences are "hardwired" by our genes? Lesley Rogers demolishes this question in one of the year's hardest-hitting volumes of scientific criticism.
"An individual's development is not merely a battle between nature (genes on the inside) and nurture (experience or learning on the outside)", Rogers argues, "but is a dynamic interweaving of processes within a system which is inseperably the organism and its environment" [emphasis added]. Rogers cites many examples of how the brain responds to environmental inputs--often by changing its biochemistry and even its structure. A rat, for example, "living in a complex social environment has a thicker cortex than one raised alone". From this and many other examples Rogers argues that the different social environments in which girls and boys are raised may alter their brain structure and function.
This is a genuinely radical idea supported by recent evidence. If only the same were true of the deterministic fantasies of the sociobiologists: the sociobiological argument is that sex differences are unalterable by the individual and arose out of evolutionary necessity. On neither count does Rogers find the evidence for this position satisfactory, and her criticisms and counter-arguments are cogent and sharply expressed.
Sexing the Brain leaves the reader with a vivid sense of the crushing difficulty of working on science without prejudice. --Simon Ings
Review
"Excellent... clearly set[s] out the argument for the debate." -- New Scientist "Given the enormous popularity of biological explanations, it is refreshing to read that there is an abundance of evidence showing that experience can alter the biology of the brain and the role of hormones, and that scientists'conclusions are influenced by their own cultural experiences. The book is clearly written and well documented. It will be useful to behavioral scientists and other students of human behavior." -- The Quarterly Review of Biology "Appropriate for academic and large public libraries." -- Library Journal
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
This book is about the science of sex differences. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
This book is about the science of sex differences. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a book rich with information about the difficulties of coupling genes with behaviour. The authour, herself a neurologist, points to a lot of problems and attacks American biologists and evolutionists such as Steven Pinker for their shallow and uncomplicated views. She also shows how the environment plays a role in deciding what genes to activate. She writes well and presents a lot of facts.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
restoring a balance
30 July 2009
Format:Paperback
Lesley Roger's message is loud and clear - how we behave (as a community, as a male or female, as heterosexual or homosexual - even as asexual.......) is dependent on so many factors - environmental, cultural, hormonal .... Any attempt to reduce behaviour to one of these factors is misguided.
Consequently the book debunks or challenges much that has been investigated in a search to show the influence (and for some, determination) of biological factors such as hormones. Perhaps my biggest disappointment in the book is that so much of it attacks research results rather than use research results that support the message. And disappointment I did have in the book, even though I agree with much that I read (such as the criticism of Matt Ridley's 'The Red Queen').
But hormones do affect behaviour - of that there can be no doubt. Consequently men and women - as groups - will be different. What hormones don't do is dominate behaviour.
Consequently the book debunks or challenges much that has been investigated in a search to show the influence (and for some, determination) of biological factors such as hormones. Perhaps my biggest disappointment in the book is that so much of it attacks research results rather than use research results that support the message. And disappointment I did have in the book, even though I agree with much that I read (such as the criticism of Matt Ridley's 'The Red Queen').
But hormones do affect behaviour - of that there can be no doubt. Consequently men and women - as groups - will be different. What hormones don't do is dominate behaviour.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Sex biasing errors are surveyed
21 May 2001
Format:Hardcover
While scientific investigation is supposed to be dispassionate, in reality science's claims about sex and gender differences have more reflected cultural standards than objective research: that's the contention of Lesley Rogers' Sexing The Brain which shows how the interplay between culture, environment and behavior contributes to gender trends. Sex biasing errors are surveyed, with studies backing her probe.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
behind the headlines
25 July 2007
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent book for anyone that has ever wondered whether there really is any difference between the sexes when it comes to mental capacity and mental processes.
The authors willingness to examine the research, data, and methodologies that sit behind the headlines is excellent. Also the links she draws between cultural belief and research methodologies is also insightful.
If you want to win sexist arguments, this book should be in your armoury.
The authors willingness to examine the research, data, and methodologies that sit behind the headlines is excellent. Also the links she draws between cultural belief and research methodologies is also insightful.
If you want to win sexist arguments, this book should be in your armoury.
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