March 2019 PMID 29985109

Cognitive sex differences and hemispheric asymmetry: A critical review of 40 years of research.

Marco Hirnstein, Kenneth Hugdahl, Markus Hausmann

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Mentions

Peak: 11 in Mar 2021

across 4 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

132,288

potential audience

Total likes

314

Video views

1,814

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter45 posts
News14 articles
Blogs4 articles
YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall sentiment reflects a strong agreement with the publication's conclusions, as evidenced by references to specific findings like the 'very small but robust' hemispheric asymmetry difference and statements like 'there is no male or female brain.' The tone is scientific and dismissive of exaggerated stereotypes, encouraging a move toward understanding brain plasticity and emphasizing the negligible biological basis for gendered cognitive abilities.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions align with the article's conclusion that sex differences in hemispheric asymmetry are minimal and not meaningful in explaining cognitive differences.

InterestHigh interest

The posts show high interest, with many emphasizing that the research challenges common stereotypes and debunks myths about biological differences.

EngagementHigh engagement

Users engage deeply by referencing specific research findings, such as the minimal differences in brain asymmetry and the limitations of previous studies.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions are influential, highlighting the importance of the research in contesting longstanding myths about brain differences based on sex, which could shift public perceptions.

Abstract in brief

The review confirms that males tend to show slightly more hemispheric asymmetry than females, but this difference is very small and not particularly influential.
The research indicates that having stronger hemispheric asymmetry does not necessarily lead to better spatial skills or worse verbal abilities, suggesting these are not directly linked.
Overall, the findings show that sex differences in brain asymmetry and cognitive performance are largely independent, meaning hemispheric asymmetry is not the main reason for differences in abilities like mental rotation or memory between males and females.]

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All mentions

Exploring Sex Differences in Brain Structure and Personality Traits

What are the differences between sexes in the brain? The discussion uncovers significant structural differences and their development over time, while also investigating how sex differences in personality traits are…

Cientística & Podcast Naruhodo · Feb 4, 2020 1,451 views

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This video analyzes and demystifies various viral body hacks, explaining scientifically what is true and what is myth. It clarifies misconceptions such as arm length illusion caused by muscle relaxation, the absence of…

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Serial Revolutions Trava-Utena

@jayu_eleutheria · X

Aug 13, 2025 · 4 likes · 826 followers View post →

Sigi Lieb

@gespraechswert · X

@ap_schulz @VelvetSteelHH @Karin54022 @Paula8936148256 @AnnAmanda100 @Sub_Versia @PishnurgPumm @Satireflausch @UserUswr54069 @Flatbar5 @DieLinkeTina @Keshwhatever @dresinger298616 @Kyra2001 @DaniEla_away @Binar10101 @beastley73418 @DSternenthaler @orlando1678 @Fredelapetite @klein_lumumba @Mariann19042022 @nemesis_nice @Ceo_of_Butter @onyx0815 Hier hat ein Forschungsteam die Studien von 40 Jahren Forschung zu der Frage einer Metastudie unterzogen: https://t.co/uGiOGVgR9V

May 30, 2025 · 1 like · 1,367 followers View post →

Petra Kurnia

@kuropetra · X

@Boobieoiiiiiiio This is my source. An actual research, not a random book noone knows who the author is. https://t.co/PM7eW1E59t

Feb 20, 2024 · 297 followers View post →

Dr. Rejoiner, #NotMovingOn,

@VinaigretteGirl · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Jan 20, 2024 · 18 shares · 4,987 followers View post →

John Wilkins

@JohnWilkinspsyc · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Oct 1, 2023 · 18 shares · 1,633 followers View post →

Sonja Maria

@Sub_Versia · X

@testzugang82 @RotesSteinhaus @mazonenkonigin Hier nochmal zu deinen männlichen und weiblichen Gehirnen. Gibt es so nicht, musst nur das Abstract lesen. https://t.co/6r9e0o4UFl

Sep 24, 2023 · 2 likes · 297 followers View post →

Florian Wagner / @flo@mi.cmbg.ws

@_fl01 · X

RT @gespraechswert: @DSternenthaler Es gibt kein männliches oder weibliches Gehirn. https://t.co/cFfIO3n8BP

Sep 24, 2023 · 1 share · 1,402 followers View post →

Sigi Lieb

@gespraechswert · X

@DSternenthaler Es gibt kein männliches oder weibliches Gehirn. https://t.co/cFfIO3n8BP

Sep 24, 2023 · 13 likes · 1 share · 1,367 followers View post →

Sigi Lieb

@gespraechswert · X

Sep 20, 2023 · 3 likes · 1,367 followers View post →

Shelley Cohen

@Cockroachthecat · X

@TracycCoyle @Invisible_TSW @Capucine_no @TransRadically @Greerista @MindEnjoyer @lulusolomo86641 @autoGAMPegg @WarFigs @worldhasfallen The difference in size is more like 11%, and the paper is an analysis of 30 years of research. It looks at it all. https://t.co/8g3UPPlRhu and https://t.co/VzBeSBM9z4

Sep 7, 2023 · 977 followers View post →

William Zebub

@Anatheman2 · X

@LacyWhite4Ever @Dope_Francis_ @SwipeWright https://t.co/4fIu9uNeQt

Aug 4, 2023 · 89 followers View post →

MissFinster

@MissFinster3 · X

@atalanta44 @DixonBTweener16 @HankRacette @JeremyShawMD Again Bullshit https://t.co/oYWjo4y5sr

Jun 29, 2023 · 18 followers View post →

Eta on tour

@sommerhebamme · X

RT @gespraechswert: 6 Viele Studien untersuchen das Gehirn, um dort Unterschiede der #Geschlechter zu finden. Ein Forschungsteam hat 40 Jah…

Oct 23, 2022 · 7 shares · 1,788 followers View post →

Ayashi Kazama

@AyashiKazama · X

RT @gespraechswert: 6 Viele Studien untersuchen das Gehirn, um dort Unterschiede der #Geschlechter zu finden. Ein Forschungsteam hat 40 Jah…

Oct 23, 2022 · 7 shares · 24 followers View post →

Robert Morton

@mk200120 · X

RT @gespraechswert: 6 Viele Studien untersuchen das Gehirn, um dort Unterschiede der #Geschlechter zu finden. Ein Forschungsteam hat 40 Jah…

Oct 22, 2022 · 7 shares · 1,277 followers View post →

Lele Schirmeister 

@abertrotzdem · X

RT @gespraechswert: 6 Viele Studien untersuchen das Gehirn, um dort Unterschiede der #Geschlechter zu finden. Ein Forschungsteam hat 40 Jah…

Oct 22, 2022 · 7 shares · 1,299 followers View post →

Wavewizard

@Auralroom · X

RT @gespraechswert: 6 Viele Studien untersuchen das Gehirn, um dort Unterschiede der #Geschlechter zu finden. Ein Forschungsteam hat 40 Jah…

Oct 22, 2022 · 7 shares · 314 followers View post →

Sigi Lieb

@gespraechswert · X

Oct 22, 2022 · 59 likes · 7 shares · 1,367 followers View post →

James Booth

@DrJamesBooth · X

@JoAnneGross1 @tomloveless99 @BrookingsEcon @RichardvReeves @ember_smith @GaabLab Evidence for sex differences in brain and language development are limited https://t.co/KSWkIvUdeV, but there appears to be a small effect of more asymmetry in males https://t.co/EAWvTTgoHi, but reports may be biased https://t.co/TN55yoRNQ3

Oct 17, 2022 · 6,395 followers View post →

Malhorne

@A_Malhorne · X

@Tommy57410180 @Lovemetrue4 @maribzh29 @TLequertier https://t.co/WCvSmi0Q4E

Aug 31, 2022 · 499 followers View post →

Adam

@Adam5ki320 · X

@TheLeftFamily @Self_Made_Dan https://t.co/24KtCeabSg

May 25, 2022 · 1 like · 25 followers View post →

Lindë

@Nefer_Linde · X

@PatoBMo @GracieYLS Bibliografía: https://t.co/rozFEhbPvj https://t.co/hMDv8GpEYX https://t.co/wHIn0XCJ8V Hasta tu querida APA tiene que admitir que las mínimas diferencias biológicas entre cerebros no explican las diferencias en personalidad, que entrarían en lo psicológico. https://t.co/y6T1pzIrjw

Apr 3, 2022 · 179 followers View post →

afab transgirl (✿◡‿◡)

@GenZ_gencrit · X

RT @GenZ_gencrit: @NJsucks_ @maIekiller @keyshuii @FrancoisMellu @enderiian @radishperson @MillionDollarJC @GCBiphobia @sphericaltime male/…

Dec 16, 2021 · 1 share · 318 followers View post →

afab transgirl (✿◡‿◡)

@GenZ_gencrit · X

Dec 16, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 318 followers View post →

Anais McTavish

@AnaisMcTavish · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Oct 29, 2021 · 18 shares · 289 followers View post →

S T I R N E R

@Stirnersirabnnx · X

@Escorzadepi @MTudela https://t.co/CjG8FhC3GX

Oct 3, 2021 · 542 followers View post →

Dorothy Bishop

@deevybee · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Jun 10, 2021 · 18 shares · 36,864 followers View post →

Michael David

@BlandMbland57 · X

@FrostyBaron @coachblade @FondOfBeetles @alliap2 @GaryLineker @LewisHamilton @sebcoe @damekellyholmes @JessicaEnnis @clarebalding @sharrond62 @Daley_thompson @Martina @NicolaAdamsOBE "First, we confirm previous findings that the stronger hemispheric asymmetry in males is very small but robust." https://t.co/jwmFCr7E4c

May 13, 2021 · 138 followers View post →

Լσrєиα Ɓαℓdєrαѕ

@lorenabalderasS · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Apr 28, 2021 · 18 shares · 206 followers View post →

Hasten Slowly

@HastenSlowly · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 23, 2021 · 18 shares · 51 followers View post →

Damien

@DaFloVas · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 22, 2021 · 18 shares · 86 followers View post →

Mutterseelenallein

@Mutterseelenall · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 22, 2021 · 18 shares · 2,294 followers View post →

Pablo Munoz

@pablo_jack · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 21, 2021 · 18 shares · 3,867 followers View post →

Dorothy Bishop

@deevybee · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 21, 2021 · 18 shares · 36,864 followers View post →

Association of Libertarian Feminists

@ALFLiberty · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 21, 2021 · 18 shares · 1,099 followers View post →

Manolo

@romeroescobar · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 21, 2021 · 18 shares · 278 followers View post →

Sekhmet of the Terven KPSS

@Lauralols · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 21, 2021 · 18 shares · 5,713 followers View post →

M. Maestroa

@oratorfidelis · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 20, 2021 · 18 shares · 392 followers View post →

Small Garden Ghost

@smolgardenghost · X

RT @Lise_Eliot: 12/ Males more lateralized? Less-connected L-R? NO. Minimal sex difference in corpus callosum, anterior commissure, or hemi…

Mar 20, 2021 · 18 shares · 996 followers View post →

Lise Eliot

@Lise_Eliot · X

Mar 20, 2021 · 124 likes · 18 shares · 2,013 followers View post →

Dr. Dan ☣️

@PredativePuIse · X

@LeahtheMoon Hirnstein et al. 2018. Cognitive sex differences and hemispheric asymmetry: A critical review of 40 years of research. https://t.co/BdejR4BWjs "the stronger hemispheric asymmetry in males is very small but robust."

Oct 10, 2020 · 173 followers View post →

Dr Nicola Jane Holt

@Creativepsyche · X

RT @DurhamPsych: A new paper from Dr Markus Hausmann discusses "#Cognitive #sex #differences and hemispheric asymmetry: A critical review o…

Jan 14, 2019 · 4 shares · 1,757 followers View post →

Durham Psychology

@DurhamPsych · X

RT @DurhamPsych: A new paper from Dr Markus Hausmann discusses "#Cognitive #sex #differences and hemispheric asymmetry: A critical review o…

Jan 14, 2019 · 4 shares · 3,677 followers View post →

Gina Grimshaw

@ginagrimshaw · X

RT @DurhamPsych: A new paper from Dr Markus Hausmann discusses "#Cognitive #sex #differences and hemispheric asymmetry: A critical review o…

Jan 14, 2019 · 4 shares · 369 followers View post →

Durham Psychology

@DurhamPsych · X

A new paper from Dr Markus Hausmann discusses "#Cognitive #sex #differences and hemispheric asymmetry: A critical review of 40 years of research" https://t.co/AS1uMM6FEC

Jan 14, 2019 · 2 likes · 4 shares · 3,677 followers View post →

Cognitive sex differences and hemispheric asymmetry: A critical review of 40 years of research.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Exploring Sex Differences in Brain Structure and Personality Traits

Debunking Viral Body Hacks with Scientific Explanation