Age old myth about male superiority finally laid to rest by science

An age-old myth about male superiority has finally been laid to rest thanks to the findings of a new study by ANU.

An age-old myth about male superiority has finally been laid to rest by a new study from the Australian National University (ANU).

The study shows a belief in greater male “variability”, dating back to Charles Darwin, is not backed up by evolutionary biology.

Variability has frequently been used to explain why there is a greater number of high-achieving men in fields like business and science.

However, by looking at behavioural studies of over 200 animal species, from insects to dolphins, researchers have shown such variability does not actually exist in the animal kingdom.

“Based on our data, if we assume that humans are like other animals, there is equal chance of having a similar number of high-achieving women as there are high-achieving men in this world,” lead author Lauren Harrison, a PhD scholar from the ANU Research School of Biology said.

Looking at other species shows greater male variability is more likely culturally driven than biological ... Iranian-born math whiz Maryam Mirzakhani (pictured) was awarded the Fields Medals for outstanding achievement in her field. Picture: AFP

Harrison said even among the scientific community, the belief in greater male variability was still used to explain things like why more men than women are considered geniuses or go on to become CEOs.

“The significance of greater male variability for evolution goes back to Charles Darwin. He suggested that male species often look or behave far more differently from each other compared to females of the same species,” she explained.

With such a wide range of data showing biology is not the likely culprit, the study’s authors suggested looking more towards cultural factors to explain different outcomes between the sexes.

There is no reason to invoke the argument of biological variability to explain why more men than women are Nobel laureates, according to study co-author Professor Michael Jennions. Former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (pictured) was a joint recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Picture: Chris Hondros / Getty Images

“If males are more variable than females, it would mean there are more men than women with either very low or very high IQs,” co-author Professor Michael Jennions said.

“But our research in over 200 animal species shows variation in male and female behaviour is very similar. Therefore, there is no reason to invoke this argument based on biology to explain why more men than women are Nobel laureates, for example, which we associate with high IQ.

“Instead of using biology to explain why there are more male CEOs or professors, we have to ask what role culture and upbringing play in pushing men and women down different pathways?”