The male brain: structures and differential functionality

These are the characteristics of the brain typically displayed by males.

The controversy over the particularities represented by the the differentiation between the brains of the two sexes has been present has been present in scientific research, both in order to discern whether there are discrepancies both in intellectual aptitudes and in the capacity for emotional processing.

Let's see which are the anatomical structures, as well as which hormonal and neurotransmitter substances operate in a particular way shaping the development of the male brain throughout the vital process.

Hormones and neurotransmitters involved in male brain circuits.

These are the hormones and neurotransmitters involved in brain functioning.

1. Testosterone

It is the hormone responsible for the development of primary sexual characteristics, such as the maturation of the male reproductive organsIt is the hormone responsible for the development of primary sexual characteristics, such as the maturation of the male reproductive organs, as well as secondary ones: body hair, the severity of the tone of voice or the rate of muscle mass.

Testosterone plays a major role in dominance behaviors and aggressiveness, it also activates the circuits of sexual behavior, as well as those aimed at achieving goals and fighting against possible competitors to maintain a superior hierarchical position.

On the other hand, it is responsible for activating the functionality of the sweat glandswhich are responsible for the emission of male odor (androstenedione).

2. Vasopressin

Apart from its main antidiuretic function, this hormone is involved at the cerebral level in the repertoire of social behaviors. the repertoire of social behaviorsspecifically in the protection and defense of personal territory and behaviors oriented to sexual mating.

3. Mullerian Inhibitory Substance (SIM):

The main function of this hormone is to act during the first months of gestation in order to eliminate from the future baby all feminine physical characteristics, as well as to enhance the maturation of those typically masculine.

It plays an important role in the development of the exploratory behavior and in orienting male infants' interest in everything that involves movement and action.

4. Oxytocin

This substance can act as a hormone or as a neurotransmitter and is mainly associated with the establishment and regulation of social behaviors, affective bonds (marital or paternal) and (marital or paternal) and the promotion of aspects such as trust or generosity.

It seems to be activated especially by physical contact and therefore, it exerts an antagonistic role to the aggressive activation provoked by testosterone. It is also involved in the development of empathic ability and in generating personal safety or stress reduction circuits. and in the generation of personal safety circuits or stress reduction.

5. Cortisol

This hormonal substance is the one secreted in response to stress, whose function is oriented to the fight against the perception of potential threats, both physiological and emotional, in different personal environments.

6. Dopamine

This substance is the main neurotransmitter involved in the search for pleasure, gratification, enjoyment motivation, and it regulatesIt is also involved in the motivation for enjoyment and regulates the drive to achieve a certain goal.

It is labeled as a natural internal drug because it is secreted in large doses, generating a powerful and chemically addictive feeling of well-being in response to a given reward, similar to that which can be obtained after the consumption of drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines, for example.

What areas shape male brain functioning?

Multiple scientific investigations carried out in recent decades, as described in the work of Brizendine (2010), have identified a series of brain structures that are particularly active in the male brain..

It seems that the high activity in these areas has been responsible for shaping and developing certain interests and objectives that ultimately guide the behavior of the male gender.

1. Medial Preoptic Area (APOM)

This area is responsible for the management of sexual activity and mating.. It has been observed to represent an average size two and a half times larger in male than in female individuals.

2. Temporal Parietal Junction (TPJU)

This brain area regulates the capacity for cognitive empathy. This ability enables the individual to understand the other person's situation by cognitively analyzing it in order to situation by analyzing it cognitively in order to be able to generate an effective coping solution. Studies affirm that this capacity is more associated with the male gender.

In contrast, affective empathy consists of putting oneself in the other person's place, allowing one to identify emotionally with the feelings of the interlocutor. This latter capacity seems to be more developed in women.

3. Dorsal Preliminary Dorsal Nucleus (PDN)

This is the area that regulates the area of territory defense and personal (or family) status, articulating the anger response to possible threats in this regard and activating the emotion of fear in the exercise of this protective role. in the exercise of this protective role.

4. Amygdala

It is the structure in charge of activating the alarm signal in the face of possible threats or personal dangers.It is the main fear processing center.

It directs emotional impulses and is activated in men by testosterone, vasopressin and cortisol. Oxytocin, on the other hand acts as an inhibitor of such emotional activation. Research suggests that its size is larger in men than in women.

5. Cranial Cingulate Zone (CCZ)

This area plays a major role in the regulation of social behavior, the formation of emotions, and is responsible for learning and remembering learning and remembering the social image that an individual conveys to others. to others.

Some studies link this area to the readjustment of facial expressions experienced by males to minimize the facial gestures of their male emotional responses.

6. Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)

This set of structures located in the center of the brain becomes the command center for the the command center of the motivational capacity, being the main producer of the neurotransmitter.being the main producer of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Scientific findings have observed a higher level of activation in the male brain than in the female brain.

7. Periaquedial gray (GPA)

This area is involved in the regulation of pleasure and involuntary pain. It is particularly active during sexual acts in men. in men.

8. Mirror Neuron System (SNE)

This neural network controls the capacity for emotional empathy. As mentioned above, its function is lower in men compared to women..

9. Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

This structure plays a relevant role in the cognitive-emotional processing of possible threatsIt plays a central role in the analysis of potential male emotional discomfort.

It acts in decision making by assessing possible consequences, fear of punishment, worries in general, fear response in relation to sexual behavior, mainly. It has been observed that its size is smaller in men since testosterone conditions its functionality.

10. Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)

This structure is one of the most complex and recent in the human brain. Rational, logical and socially appropriate processing is carried out in it..

It is responsible for focusing attention on the relevant aspects at all times, cognitively analyzing the different options for decision making and inhibits the most primitive and maladaptive impulses. Research has concluded that this area matures earlier and appears to be larger in size in female subjects.

Stages in the hormonal and neurocognitive development of the male brain

What has been presented so far can become a guide to get a clearer idea of male brain functioning. Let us see how the hormonal-anatomical operation takes shape in the different stages of male life.

Childhood

A pronounced combination of SIM hormone and testosterone segregation in the first year of life enhances the activation of the cerebral circuits in charge of the exploratory behavior of the environment, and of the focalization of interest in all types of stimuli involving muscular movement, especially of a more competitive than playful nature.

Subsequently, testosterone levels progressively decrease until the age of 11. until the age of 11 years.

Puberty

From the age of 11, the production of testosterone and vasopressin increases by 20%, while SIM decreases. This leads to a considerable This leads to a considerable increase in the activity of circuits involved in sexual behavior and the defense of personal territory..

Simultaneously, the activation of the areas that promote visual sexual attraction takes place, significantly increasing the functionality of the sense of smell in relation to the action of pheromones, as well as the auditory perceptual sensitivity to pheromones. auditory perceptual sensitivity is modified..

Greater activity has also been observed in the circuits that regulate the sleep cycle, progressively decreasing the number of hours of daily nocturnal rest. As a result, the main interests for the child are the maintenance of territory and personal hierarchy, social interaction and fixation on the body of the sex to which he/she feels attracted.

The latter is implied in the increase of sexual fantasies and masturbation behaviors. With all of the above, episodes of defiance of authority become more frequent, episodes of defiance of authority and opposition to external norms become more frequent. and opposition to external norms become more frequent.

Youth and early maturity

With stable elevated testosterone levels, the high activity of the brain circuits that regulate both mating behavior and interest in sex, as well as the protection of personal territory and hierarchy, is maintained.

In heterosexual men, fixation is oriented towards the search for attractive female sexual partners and the surveillance of potential male competitors. In relation to the question of social hierarchy, the main goals at this stage are oriented towards consolidate certain aspects of social status, such as a good such as a good professional position or a good salary.

Parenthood

During the gestational stage of the couple, it has been observed in males that testosterone levels decrease significantly and prolactin levels increase. This fact causes a decrease in the desire for sexual drive and increases the activity of the circuits that help to establish the behaviors of care and paternal-filial bonding.

Thus, the main goal is protection of the familyThe main goal is the protection of the family, from which the man focuses on his role as economic and emotional breadwinner and to develop a greater sensitivity to the basic needs of the baby.

Middle maturity and Andropause

From approximately the fifth decade of life onwards, testosterone levels decrease considerably, although there remains a certain fixation on the maintenance of personal territory and sexual interest, but with less impulsive activation.

The most relevant objectives for men are associated with the education of children and maintaining an adequate professional status. In the so-called andropause (the equivalent of menopause in the male sex), there is a very considerable decrease in hormone secretion in general, although it has been observed that oxytocin levels increase during these vital stages.

This leads the individual to focus on his own emotional well-being in the different personal and social spheres: health, professional career or family relationships (with respect to his partner, children and grandchildren). Due to the increased activity of this latter hormone the activity of the circuits of affectivity and sentimentality is increased.The general response of aggressiveness and competitiveness decreases.

By way of conclusion

The foregoing is intended as an explanation of a series of scientific generalities that can serve as a guide when it comes to understanding in greater detail the type of Biological brain predispositions associated with the male gender.

However, this does not mean that the influence of the environment and the contextual factors in which the individual develops do not have a determining influence on the way in which the behavior of each particular subject is finally externalized. Therefore, the information contained in the text should be taken as a set of orientative and theoretical data, avoiding the conclusion that male behavior is only mediated by his biochemical or organic characteristics.

Thus, one of the greatest consensuses that the scientific community has reached is to assume how the interaction between genetic or biological predispositions combine with external or environmental factors to ultimately shape human behavior and functioning. or environmental factors to ultimately shape human behavior and functioning.