Does Gender Affect Memory - Research Paper Example

? Does Gender Affect Memory? Marie Davis Psychology J. Howard Debate has been ongoing as to whether there are differences in terms of memory in either gender. Research from the past has found out that indeed, there exist differences in terms of memory between males and females, even though there is no universal agreement to this proposition. There are two types of memory, the short term and the long term types, but the short term memory type has been pointed out to be the area that the two sexes have got a vast difference. While some have argued that differences in humans in terms of memory are due to anatomical differences between men and women, some have argued that it is purely psychological. There exists a difference among males and females in terms of memory. In most cases, this proposition argues that males have superior memory when compared to women. The only set back to this theory is that it is not always true. There are females who have superior memory when compared to males of the same age-group. Moreover, memory differences can only be analyzed in healthy people and people of the same age-group. Therefore, differences in memory between men and women or between boys and girls exist in terms of interest and because the society’s expectations of different genders compels them to act differently. This has extended into memory. The difference between males and females is principally hormonal, whereby males have dominant androgens while females have more of estrogens than androgens. Researchers have argued that the difference in these sex hormones is what differentiates memory in humans based on gender. Since these hormones differ in function, they affect the manner in which the brain functions, hence memory (Thompson, 2008). Research has also shown that the central nervous system in males and females is slightly different in terms of the structure, number and type of neurons. For example, males have more neurons than females of the same age. This explains the differences in memory between young males and females. Since neurons are the forms of communication in the brain, the differences have brought about differences in memory between the two gender classes. The proponents of the psychological theory argue that differences in memory between males and females are not due to anatomical factors, but due gender expectations of either sex. Society expects females to act in a particular way, and males likewise. As people develop, they act in a way that suits their gender type. This is the societal expectation. For example, women are generally cleaner and neater when compared to men. This is not in their genes, but it is simply a societal expectation and requirement. The same applies to memory. Generally, boys have superior scholastic ability when compared to girls. In terms of academics, boys have superior memory generally. However, girls and females in general have superior short term memory on various issues. For instance, a girl would easily remember the food they ate 3 days ago, while a boy may not have any recollection. This memory has nothing to do with academics, but still this is memory. Women are able to remember even the most intricate details. Society expects women to take care of the family unit, and any woman who does not have a potent short term memory cannot succeed in caring for a family. It would portray her as reckless and careless. Therefore, there is no universal tenet on memory in males and females. Differences in memory among males and females are diverse based on various situations and circumstances. Research by many psychologists has shown that the female gender manages to organize their memory in a united style while, on the other hand, the male gender organizes their memory in a truly distinguished style. Females are able to remember even the most intricate details concerning an issue. For example, females remember things like conversations, names, shopping lists and novels better than males. Males on the other hand are able to recall items like maps, directions of places and the areas they have visited previously. More so females who are in groups manage to perform better than males put in a group. What this shows is that, memory differs in terms of what is being memorized. Men consider remembering some things as a feminine trait; hence, they develop no interest. Therefore, memory differs in terms of interest. We all remember what we want to remember, and in case we are not interested in something, we take no interest in memorizing it (Hamilton, 2009). Therefore, research has shown that the differences in terms of memory between either sex exists due to differing interests and not the memory itself. Research has also indicated that when women are put into one group, and males into another and the two are given the same task to perform, the females will manage to perform the tasks much better than their male counterparts. This is because; women have got the ability to organize their memory in a highly distinctive style, while the males cannot organize their memory in a distinctive style that will enable them to perform better when they are in groups. The memory differences between the two genders span from childhood. This arrives at the conclusion that females are able to think emotionally and logically; which makes their short term memory noteworthy. In order to prove the fact that short term memory in women/girls is superior to the one in men/boys, my friends and I conducted a brief research on short-term memory. We conducted the research on social websites. The participants managed to complete a manipulation check questionnaire that included ten specific questions on various issues. After the exercise, the participants were asked randomly about these questions. A good majority of women were able to remember the questions asked, implying that women have a noteworthy short term memory. Conclusion Research has shown that women and men exhibit differences in memory, and this spans from their childhood. While other researchers have taken an anatomical approach in trying to explain this phenomenon, the psychological theory is the most acceptable. It is true that physiologically, men and women are different, but there is no evidence to show that memory differences occur as a result of the two gender types having a different number of neurons and different hormones. Scholastically speaking, there is no rule that explains that men will perform better in school than women due to their superior memory because there are many girls outperforming boys in school and academic-wise as a whole. However, the most acceptable theory concerning gender roles is that the varying interests between the two gender types leads to different degrees of memory. A woman will remember things related to their gender and interests, and the same will apply to men. Moreover, women are good when it comes to remembering intricate details concerning issues, but men pay no attention to intricate details. For instance, a woman is able to remember the shirt worn by her husband the previous day, while the man may not remember the shirt himself. This is the nature of human beings; women pay attention even to the tiniest details of an issue, while a man remembers major issues. Coupled with interest, there exist differences in men and women in terms of memory. References Joan C. Chrisler, D. R. (2010). Handbook of Gender Research in Psychology. New Mexico: Springer. Nelson, C. A. (2008). Memory and Affect in Development. London: Routledge. Stuart-Hamilton, I. (2009). The psychology of ageing: an introduction. New York, United States: J. Kingsley. Thompson, P. R. (2008). Gender and Memory. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. Read More