Dr. Lise Eliot: Brain Development, Sex, Gender
From Critically Speaking by Therese Markow
February 17, 2026 · 44 min · Season 1 · Episode 226
About this episode
Therese Markow and Dr. Lise Eliot discuss the complexities of brain development in relation to sex and gender, emphasizing the impact of social experiences and brain plasticity.
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Lise Eliot discuss neurosexism and brain differences between males and females. Dr. Eliot explains that historical brain comparisons often aimed to prove women's inferiority, citing examples like weighing cadaver brains. Modern MRI studies show minor structural differences, but still present significant methodological challenges. She highlights that brain plasticity and social experiences shape gender differences, noting that women tend to have more active default mode networks, linked to anxiety and rumination. She emphasizes that gender is a psychological phenomenon, not strictly binary, and that early life experiences significantly influence brain development. Key Takeaways: Sex is a biological phenomenon determined by physical characteristics and some secondary characteristics. Gender is a psychological phenomenon and is not binary - there are multiple dimensions of gender. Without brain plasticity, you would be unable to learn anything. While the brain has more plasticity when you're young, the brain can continue to learn and form new pathways even in adulthood. Gender is a uniquely human attribute - other animals do not have gender…
People in this episode
Hosts: Therese Markow, Therese
Guest: Dr Lise Eliot
Topics covered
- brain development
- sex
- gender
- neurosexism
- brain differences
Keywords
- neurosexism
- brain plasticity
- gender differences
- default mode network
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow into Troublesome Gaps, What's Going
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