Geschwind-Galaburda Hypothesis

The Geschwind-Galaburda hypothesis was proposed by Norman Geschwind and Albert Galaburda to explain sex differences in cognitive abilities by relating them to lateralization of cerebral functions.

The basic idea is that differences in maturation rates between the cerebral hemispheres is mediated by circulating testosterone levels, and that sexual maturation acts to hold the hemispheres at different stages in development. According to the theory, male brains mature later than females, and the left hemisphere matures later than the right.