My Brain Sex id

The BBC has an online test you can take that measures the "sex id" of your brain. The test actually is quite interesting to take.

Here are my results, and a few of the words describing some of the six parts of the test. I didn't include all six parts for you to read as knowing parts of the test ahead of time may influence your choices if you decide to take the quiz.

Apparently the final result has my brain being a slightly more female than male. This is even after I tested definitely male on some sections of the test.

I wonder since some tests are multiple choice questions, my answers of which - due to the limited number of questions - just may just be lucky guesses as to the correct answer, and therefore tipped the final results one way or the other.

One section (rating eyes) I scored high in empathy. Another section, 'empathizing' I scored low. The 'empathizing' section is based on my answers to questions as to how I perceive myself. So which is right? Did I get lucky with my answers to the eyes? After all, for the empathizing/systemizing section I feel I got the systemizing part correct since the result fits my way of doing things, and my success as a software engineer.

Angles

This task tested your ability to identify the angle of a line by matching it with its twin. This is a spatial task, which looks at how you picture space.

Your score: 17 out of 20
Average score for men: 15.1 out of 20
Average score for women: 13.3 out of 20

If you scored 13 - 17: You found this test neither hard nor easy. This suggests your brain has male and female traits when it comes to spatial ability.


Spot the difference

This task tested your ability to identify which objects changed position. You lost points, if you incorrectly identified objects.

Your score: 79%
Average score for men: 39%
Average score for women: 46%

If you scored between 67 - 100%: Those with a female-type brain generally score in this range. Your ability to remember where objects are may serve as an advantage to you when you're trying to find your way around places. You're more capable of recalling landmarks to get from one place to another.


Hands

You said your right thumb was on top when you clasped your hands together.

Right thumb on top: This suggests the left half of your brain is dominant. Many studies have tried to establish whether there is a relationship between handedness and brain dominance. Some scientists believe that if you are left brain dominant, you would be more verbal and analytical.

However, these theories are debatable and leave much to be said about the small percentage of people who are ambidextrous.

My comment: I am not sure about this result as I generally am left handed, therefore a right brain person.


Emotions and Systems

This task looked at whether you prefer to empathize or systemize.

Empathizing

Your empathy score is: 4 out of 20
Average score for men: 7.9 out of 20
Average score for women: 10.6 out of 20

Empathisers are better at accurately judging other people's emotions and responding appropriately. If you scored 15 and above, you are very empathic and would be an ideal person to comfort people in a time of crisis. Women in general are better at empathizing.

Systemizing

Your systemizing score is: 16 out of 20
Average score for men: 12.5 out of 20
Average score for women: 8.0 out of 20

Systemisers prefer to investigate how systems work. A system can be a road map, flat pack furniture, or a mathematical equation – anything that follows a set of rules. A score of 15 and above suggests you're good at analyzing or building systems. Men in general are better at systemizing.

Eyes

This task tested your ability to judge people's emotions.

Your score: 8 out of 10
Average score for men: 6.6 out of 10
Average score for women: 6.6 out of 10

If you scored 7 - 10: Your result suggests you are a good empathizer, sensitive to other people's emotions. Women generally fall into this category.

Men often think a person's eyes are sending signals of desire when that's not the case at all.

My comment: they aren't?!

Fingers

We asked you to measure your ring and index fingers. Your ratios came to:

Right Hand: 0.96
Left Hand: 0.94

Average ratio for men: 0.982
Average ratio for women: 0.991

It's thought that your ratio is governed by the amount of testosterone you were exposed to in your mother's womb. The ratio of the length of your index finger to the length of your ring finger is set for life by as early as three months after conception. Even during puberty, when we experience intensive hormonal changes, the ratio stays the same.

Men generally have a ring finger that is longer than their index finger, which gives them a lower ratio than women, whose ring and index fingers are usually of equal length.

My comment: does this mean I have more testosterone than the average guy?!

Faces

This task looked at how you rate the attractiveness of a series of faces. The images you looked at were digitally altered to create slight differences in masculinity.

Your choices suggest you prefer more feminine faces.

Interestingly, women's preferences are said to vary across the menstrual phase. A more masculine face is preferred during the 9 days prior to ovulation, when conception is most likely.

3D shapes

This task tested your ability to mentally rotate 3D shapes.

Your score: 10 out of 12
Average score for men: 8.2 out of 12
Average score for women: 7.1 out of 12

If you scored 10 - 12: Are you an engineer or do you have a science background? People with these skills tend to score in this range. Past studies have concluded that people in this range have a more male brain.

Nearly a third of men who took the 3D test got full marks, whereas less than 10 per cent of women managed the same.