Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have finally confirmed that men are—in general—more efficient than women at navigating between two locations. The study says that the reason for this has much to do with differently the male and female brains handle this particular task.
According to Norwegian University of Science and Technology PhD candidate in neuroscience Carl Pintzka, “Men’s sense of direction was more effective.” Also the study’s lead author, said in a statement. Pintzka continues, “They quite simply got to their destination faster.”
Specifically, the researcher say that men—in general—use “cardinal” directions when navigating. This means that men tend use strategies centered on the world, Pintzka explains, “World-centered strategy means the use of a cognitive map and cardinal directions to find your way,” adding “Women on the other hand used a more egocentric strategy (self-centered), which means they relied more on a route of landmarks to get to the target.”
He also explains it another way: “If they’re going to the Student Society building in [the Norwegian city of] Trondheim, for example, men usually go in the general direction where it’s located. Women usually orient themselves along a route to get there, for example, ‘go past the hairdresser and then up the street and turn right after the store’.”
The study authors also point out that losing one’s sense of direction is often one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease onset. Thus, they hope this research could assist scientists in more understanding of the development of the disease.
Pintzka concludes, “Almost all brain-related diseases are different in men and women, either in the number of affected individuals or in severity. Therefore, something is likely protecting or harming people of one sex.”
