Can Sex Differences in Science Be Tied to the Long Reach of Prenatal Hormones? Brain Organization Theory, Digit Ratio (2D/4D), and Sex Differences in Preferences and Cognition
Can Sex Differences in Science Be Tied to the Long Reach of Prenatal Hormones? Brain Organization Theory, Digit Ratio (2D/4D), and Sex Differences in Preferences and Cognition
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DOI：
10.1177/1745691611400236
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发表时间：
2011-03-01
影响因子：
12.6
通讯作者：
Ceci, Stephen J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Valla, Jeffrey M.;Ceci, Stephen J.
大脑组织理论假设产前激素引发和塑造一系列生理和行为变化。最近，该理论已与性别玩具偏好、2D/4D 数字比例、个性特征、性取向和认知概况（空间、语言和数学能力）等结果相关联。我们检查了这一主张的证据，重点关注 2D/4D 及其作为组织特征生物标志物的假定作用，这些组织特征影响认知能力/兴趣，使男性倾向于数学和空间密集型职业。尽管早期大脑组织理论总体上得到了广泛的支持，但仍然存在无数的不一致之处、替代解释和彻底的矛盾，必须在考虑整个理论的同时加以解决。就像更大理论中的分形一样，2D/4D 假说在较小范围内反映了这种总体支持，同时也存在不一致（正相关、负相关和性别相关）、替代解释（2D/4D 与空间偏好相关，而不是能力本身）和矛盾（男性的女性 2D/4D 与更高的空间能力相关）。使用关于大脑组织理论的争论作为理论阶段，我们将重点放在 2D/4D 证据上，因为它是这个阶段中日益重要的参与者，是更广泛辩论的证据复杂性的一个示范性案例，并且其本身也是一个日益重要的主题。
Brain organization theory posits a cascade of physiological and behavioral changes initiated and shaped by prenatal hormones. Recently, this theory has been associated with outcomes including gendered toy preference, 2D/4D digit ratio, personality characteristics, sexual orientation, and cognitive profile (spatial, verbal, and mathematical abilities). We examine the evidence for this claim, focusing on 2D/4D and its putative role as a biomarker for organizational features that influence cognitive abilities/interests predisposing males toward mathematically and spatially intensive careers. Although massive support exists for early brain organization theory overall, there are myriad inconsistencies, alternative explanations, and outright contradictions that must be addressed while still taking the entire theory into account. Like a fractal within the larger theory, the 2D/4D hypothesis mirrors this overall support on a smaller scale while likewise suffering from inconsistencies (positive, negative, and sex-dependent correlations), alternative explanations (2D/4D related to spatial preferences rather than abilities per se), and contradictions (feminine 2D/4D in men associated with higher spatial ability). Using the debate over brain organization theory as the theoretical stage, we focus on 2D/4D evidence as an increasingly important player on this stage, a demonstrative case in point of the evidential complexities of the broader debate, and an increasingly important topic in its own right.