My Brain is Bigger than Your Brain

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When science got around to measuring brain size the male brain had statistical evidence to solidify its position at the top of the list of intelligent creatures. Basically the argument has been the male brain is bigger even when adjusted for the overall larger male physiology, a brain that weights approximately 100 grams heavier and research validating the larger the brain volume the greater the intelligence.

Equally Different
Equally Different

But that’s not the end of the story!

A large review of previous studies on the relationship between brain volume and intelligence was conducted by Michael A. McDaniel of Virginia Commonwealth University. McDaniel reported that:

  1. females (both adults and children ) showed a higher relationship between their brain volume and intelligence than males (adults and boys)
  2. when males and females were compared there was a smaller gender difference between brain volume and intelligence
  3. a relationship between brain volume and intelligence was confirmed for both adults and children

According to Neuroscientsts Sandra Witelson, Larry Cahill and Melissa Hines, the female brain has some distinct advantages despite its smaller size.

  • more gray brain matter containing neuron cell bodies for information processing
  • a 29% larger superior temporal prefrontal cortex for greater language skills
  • blood flow within the brain is 15% greater, which may offset mental deficits of aging
  • nerve cells are more compacted, which suggests greater neuron efficiency

Does size really matter? Not if you’re a female brain.

by Joyce Hansen