Well, a large new meta-analysis of dozens of studies on the theory just called BS. The biggest factor that affected how much of a person’s brain got activated? The particular type of sexual content they viewed. The least predictive factor? Gender. “Following a thorough statistical review of all significant neuroimaging studies, we offer strong quantitative evidence that the neuronal response to visual sexual stimuli, contrary to the widely accepted view, is independent of biological sex,” the researchers write. “Our analysis demonstrates that there is no functional dimorphism in response to visual sexual stimuli between men and women.” Just for good measure, the researchers decided to specifically analyze two particular regions of the brain: gray matter volume in the right insula and the anterior cingulate gyrus, two areas that past research has shown are associated with sexual desire in women. The researchers analyzed another 36 studies of men’s and women’s brains (in nonsexual contexts) and found 80% of those studies identified no differences between men’s and women’s insula and anterior cingulate brain regions. Some studies claiming to prove differences between how men and women respond to sexual stimuli were “ambiguous” about the neurobiological mechanisms, the researchers explained—or those gendered findings were instead “largely based on subjective rating of sexual arousal and desire in response to sexual stimuli instead of relying on measurable biological dimensions.” In other words, their brains didn’t demonstrate a difference, but men self-reported being more aroused and feeling more sexual desire than women reported. That makes it much more a psychological thing than anything biological or natural. The researchers further argue that “hormonal status, opposing attitudes toward sexual material, differentially pronounced arousal, varying levels of sexual motivation,” and other factors might be what really contributed to any perceived differences between men’s and women’s brain responses to sexual images in past studies. “The present study provides comprehensive metaanalytic evidence that the neurocircuitries associated with sexual arousal do not differ in men and women,” they conclude. “Visual sexual stimuli induce activation in the same cortical and subcortical regions in both men and women, while the limited sex differences that have been found and reported previously refer to subjective rating of the [sexual content the people were viewing].” So there you have it: No, men don’t have some biological function in their brains making them more responsive to sexual stimuli. If you still feel like in your bones that the above myth is true, you’re probably talking more about nurture than nature: We, as a society, have, of course, artificially created and enforced social norms that dictate men are just naturally more sexual and get turned on immediately by anything even vaguely sexual they observe. These are norms that most men grew up with and have over time learned to adhere to instinctively. The more you repeat a myth, the more power it has. So maybe it’s time we all stop going off about men being more visual and whatnot, OK? With her warm, playful approach to coaching and facilitation, Kelly creates refreshingly candid spaces for processing and healing challenges around dating, sexuality, identity, body image, and relationships. She’s particularly enthusiastic about helping softhearted women get re-energized around the dating experience and find joy in the process of connecting with others. She believes relationships should be easy—and that, with room for self-reflection and the right toolkit, they can be. You can stay in the loop about her latest programs, gatherings, and other projects through her newsletter: kellygonsalves.com/newsletter
