Men have it bigger: gender differences in social networks

 Image source

Have you ever wondered why men and women seem to differ in the way they socialise? According to Baumeister and Sommer, men and women are equally driven by the need to belong to a social group. However, women tend to socialise within a smaller social circle, whereas men tend to socialise within a wider network. This would then lead women to form attachments with close others, and men to have more numerous associates who are less close.

Tell me who you pet, I’ll tell you who you are: The Social Psychology of cat, dog (and turtle) persons

Source: http://blog.mindjet.com/2012/06/why-cats-rule-dogs-drool-qa-with-buzzfeeds-beastmaster/

Let's start with a small (but arguably, life-changing) quizz: Which one of the descriptions below applies best to you?

(1) You prefer spending time on your own rather than with others

(2) You’re often ready to explore new things or ideas 

(3) People often say you’re easy to get along with 

(4) You absolutely love energy-consuming, outdoor activities. 

Are women interested in taking apart desktop computers?

Source: Wikimedia

A very widespread summary of the literature on gender differences in interests (which purports to explain why there are more female nurses and male engineers than vice versa) is that "men are interested in things and women in people". This idea is conveyed in both very serious scientific publications and in the media. This maps well with the stereotype that "boys like to play with trucks and girls with dolls".