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The extreme male brain theory of autism
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Abstract
The key mental domains in which sex differences have traditionally been studied are
verbal and spatial abilities. In this article I suggest that two neglected dimensions
for understanding human sex differences are 'empathising' and 'systemising'. The male
brain is a defined psychometrically as those individuals in whom systemising is significantly
better than empathising, and the female brain is defined as the opposite cognitive
profile. Using these definitions, autism can be considered as an extreme of the normal
male profile. There is increasing psychological evidence for the extreme male brain
theory of autism.