Neuroscience research proves there is a difference in the scientific make-up of how men’s and women’s brains function. The two hemispheres of the brain are activated in different ways. For women, the left and right hemispheres are triggered when presented with real experiences in an emotional situation. For men, the left hemisphere is triggered regardless if the situation is real or abstract.

The size of men’s and women’s brains differs, but this is not necessarily an indication of one sex being smarter over the other. The neurons are packed in closely in women’s brains, and combined with the percentage of white matter (roughly 10 times more than men have) means that women’s brains work at a quicker pace than men’s. Men’s brains are slightly bigger than women’s overall, though.

The classroom environment can impact on the learning experiences of men and women. One study found that women who took math, science, and engineering classes were uninterested in going to a summer math and sciences conferences because the ratio of men to women would have been 3:1. Women tend to believe that men do better in math and science, and as a result feel intimidated and less inclined to take advanced classes.

As well as this, another study found that for men and women the learning experience can be psychological. For example, girls’ results for math were higher when they were told the exam was gender-neutral, whereas boys scored lower when told their results would be assessed against Asian men’s scores.

While the brain structures of men and women are different, that does not mean that one is better or worse. They simply learn in different ways.