Shocking the Brain: Altering cognition to eliminate gender-stereotyped developmental differences

In her book Pink Brain, Blue Brain, neuroscientist Dr. Lise Eliot discusses the genetic similarities and differences between male and female brains, and the environmental influences which ultimately serve to amplify the differences to reinforce gender stereotypes. In discussing how to prevent and eradicate these conspicuous gaps in development, the most obvious but surprisingly difficult solution focuses on equal nurturing and selective corrective attention to specific capabilities, from sensorimotor skills to emotional and interpersonal development. However, new research published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience supports a growing body of evidence that noninvasive brain stimulation can enhance cognition alteration to reduce the neurological differences that divide men and women.

In a study led by Zaira Cattaneo from the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy, participants viewed 150 paintings, sketches, and photographs, and rated the beauty and likability of each work. Then, divided into a control group that received a false brain stimulation and an experimental group that received a real transcranial direct-current stimulation, they rated a similar set of images. The results showed that the stimulation increased the level of aesthetic appreciation, by shifting neural processing from simple object recognition to abstract appraisals of beauty. This study joins a collection of others which demonstrate that specific neural stimulation can improve mathematical and technical abilities, improve spacial and motor learning and coordination, and enhance athletic and musical talent.

As Dr. Eliot states, infant brains are not as sexually differentiated as their adult counterparts. Many of the typical gender differences, such as boys being more aggressive, better at math and spacial reasoning, and girls being more emotionally attuned and better readers and writers, are due to the neurological differences which develop from heavily different styles of teaching, learning, and communicating with our children. Studies show that cross-gendered abilities and well-balanced skill sets of "male" and "female" strengths are crucial to academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and social success. Cattaneo's research is a step in the right direction to develop a prolonged and comprehensive developmental program that can assist newer generations to mature into gender-balanced adults and bring out the best of our children.

Sources:

Elliot, Lise. Pink Brain, Blue Brain. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 2009. Print

Zaira Cattaneo, Carlotta Lega, Albert Flexas, Marcos Nadal, Eric Munar, Camilo J. Cela-Conde
The world can look better: enhancing beauty experience with brain stimulation
Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2013: nst165v2-nst165