Has anyone ever asked their husband, boyfriend, male friend, brother, or even dad to get them something right before them, and yet they tell you they can't find it? Familiar, ehh. It happens so because there are subtle differences in how individuals process visual information, which can be influenced by brain wiring, attention, and even daily habits, experts suggest. Some studies suggest that women may have a slight edge in object location memory and visual detail recognition. In contrast, men often perform better in spatial navigation tasks, said Dr Sheetal Goyal, consultant neurologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central. Women often use landmarks and object-related memory. "This may give women a slight edge in locating items in familiar environments, like a kitchen or closet," said Dr Hiran S. Reddy, consultant physician, critical care specialist, Gleneagles Hospital, Lakdi ka Pul, Hyderabad. According to Dr Reddy, men may experience what's called an "attentional blink" where they focus on a broader view, sometimes missing specific items in plain sight. "Women, on the other hand, may pay closer attention to details in certain contexts, especially in environments they interact with more frequently," said Dr Reddy. While men tend to be better at perceiving small visual details and tracking moving objects, women generally have a greater ability to distinguish subtle colour variations, said Dr Luv Bansal, consultant neurologist, department of neurology, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, Kaushambi Hospital, Kaushambi. "Possible factors affecting these differences include hormonal variations, evolutionary adaptations (such as the hunter-gatherer hypothesis), and differences in the visual cortex and processing areas," said Dr Bansal. Women are often more involved in organising household items, making them more aware of where things are. "This familiarity improves object-location memory," mentioned Dr Reddy. However, Dr Goyal quickly pointed out that these differences are general trends, not rules, and there is a lot of overlap. "Factors like focus, fatigue, multitasking, or even stress can affect anyone’s ability to notice objects, regardless of gender. It’s more about individual brain patterns than male vs. female capabilities," said Dr Goyal. Dr Reddy noted that many men are highly detail-oriented and excellent at locating items, while some women are not. In short, while there may be mild biological and behavioural influences, it’s not that men are inherently less capable—it often comes down to habit, attention, and context, said Dr Reddy. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
