Comic Genesis Forums

I don't know how many of you subscribe to the idea that gender really influences thought and that's why I'm asking this question! : )

Does gender influence thought?

In answer,
Yes, it does, scientifically proven and all that rot, because our hormones affect our brains. (I won't go into the specific differences.)

However, it doesn't mean we can't understand each other. I dunno, I guess I've been given the gift of being able to think like either one, at different times (sometimes even both at the same time) However, I find it easier to understand/identify with guys much of the time just because... even though they're dumb, they tend to make more sense than girls do. Plus you've got to consider the fact that I share common interests with more guys than with girls, so they're easier to talk to. I dunno.

But what about the gray area of thought? The exceptions to the rule? Do you think that in some cases there might be a little more of this hormone then usual if one thinks more like the other? Beh, science. Why should we subject thought to such constraints as chemicals! Set your spirit free!

Well, obviously both males and females are capable of totally equal thought on a spiritual level, but's that's on a SPIRITUAL level, and it doesn't really have much of anything to do with other kinds of thought.

Or was that not what you meant at all?

Is there a difference between spiritual and physical thought though? I've always thought that 'thought' was always on a spiritual level and free of any material process including chemical. The spirit uses the body to express itself but it is not governed by it. How can the body influence something so intangible as thought? Sure *science* steps in and makes up a bunch of stuff like brainwaves and does a bunch of tests to prove a theory but thought is still immeasurable.

Or is it? I mean, are brain patterns actually thought itself? Can we actually clone a spirit and influence it's existence by learning how to fire synapses artificially through some device? Maybe we could cure illness that way or maybe stop retardation or even mental illness! We could instill our own morals ah the wonder of it all! Hmm, I wonder if companies know about this. Maybe they should put more money into researching the brain! : )

On 2002-02-22 07:50, Simplicity wrote:
We could instill our own morals ah the wonder of it all!

In the wrong hands, or even in well intended but misguided hands...
that is a _scary_ thought!

How very Humanist of you Simplicity, but this....

Or is it? I mean, are brain patterns actually thought itself? Can we actually clone a spirit and influence it's existence by learning how to fire synapses artificially through some device? Maybe we could cure illness that way or maybe stop retardation or even mental illness! We could instill our own morals ah the wonder of it all! Hmm, I wonder if companies know about this. Maybe they should put more money into researching the brain! : )

is pure Behaviorist. Pavelov's dogs anyone?

A good example of individuals who are changed, would be head trauma studies, like the worker who got a spike through his head, changed his personality, or on a more comic note, the guy who started speaking with a french accent (sorry I would have to do some research to dig up details, I just remember this from Psych.)

How very Humanist of you Simplicity, but this....

What is this Humanist that you speak of. I am not lazy, I just want to hear your take on the humanism! ; )

is pure Behaviorist. Pavelov's dogs anyone?

A good example of individuals who are changed, would be head trauma studies, like the worker who got a spike through his head, changed his personality, or on a more comic note, the guy who started speaking with a french accent (sorry I would have to do some research to dig up details, I just remember this from Psych.)

Yes but, how much is this uncontrolled behavior? I mean there are people out there that exhibit behavior that we may think is totally out of their control but might be! I mean, there might be classified paranoid schizophrenics that just act like they have multiple personalities and have done it for so long that it just is habit. How much of behavior is actually controlled by physical processes and how much of it is controlled by intangible thought? Can we prove, just by what science has given us that these people who walk around talking to themselves aren't doing so because they want too? What if the methods that people use to define behavior and the causes there of, were just done up by a bunch of crazies! ; ) Is it okay if I use done up?
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On 2002-02-22 09:38, Simplicity wrote:

Yes but, how much is this uncontrolled behavior? I mean there are people out there that exhibit behavior that we may think is totally out of their control but might be! I mean, there might be classified paranoid schizophrenics that just act like they have multiple personalities and have done it for so long that it just is habit. How much of behavior is actually controlled by physical processes and how much of it is controlled by intangible thought? Can we prove, just by what science has given us that these people who walk around talking to themselves aren't doing so because they want too?

That's a great point, but those questions fall back on the philosophy of "reality" (how they interpret and interact with the world through their personalities) and additionally, the determination of whether or not their habits or perceptions are a danger to themselves and others.

Whether they are schizophrenic and they lash out in an uncontrolled rage, or they are in control and committing premeditated acts of violence or self-destruction, do we not consider them crazy either way?

Personally I dont think asking whether or not they want to act the way they do is as important or even as relevant as "can they cooperate intelligently with society?" - and in most cases the answer is no.

As far as gender influence goes... I do believe that there are tendencies which are chemically influenced, but overall I think the greatest influence lies in self-awareness. I believe that people can actively change their personalities if they can recognize the traits that define them and they are motivated to make such a change(?) regardless of gender.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Sportcat on 2002-02-23 21:59 ]</font>

Personally I dont think asking whether or not they want to act the way they do is as important or even as relevant as "can they cooperate intelligently with society?" - and in most cases the answer is no.

Yeah, it comes down to that doesn't it? That brings me way back to the days of exiling individuals because they're unfit to live in society or they have committed some heinous unforgivable act. We have prisons for that now, or mental institutions. But they are getting crowded so what do you think? Should we bring back exile or should we try to understand them and bring them down to our level? Or should we kill them humanely? Maybe that would resolve the issue then we wouldn't have to deal with their intellectual deficiencies. I mean, wolf packs either destroy or leave behind the unhealthy so maybe we should follow suit? What do you think?

As far as gender influence goes... I do believe that there are tendencies which are chemically influenced, but overall I think the greatest influence lies in self-awareness. I believe that people can actively change their personalities if they can recognize the traits that define them and they are motivated to make such a change(?) regardless of gender.

Okay now the question remains, how? How do you think it is influenced chemically? Can we justify actions by saying oh, he's a male so its obvious he would do something like that. Females think this. Males think that? Yes a little greyscale please. The mutability of thought or personality through self awareness! Doooooo not put me in that box and mark it *This is <insert your guess here> because it thinks more like <insert personality type here> then <insert opposite gender here> do.*