In honor of National Matchmakers Day, we’re going to take a look into what makes matchmaking unique in the dating world. It’s a blend of science and an age old phenomenon—intuition. We don’t want to look at just any kind of intuition though. Today, we’re talking about women’s intuition.
We’re celebrating the ladies out there trusting their guts, Olivia Rodrigo-style.
Women’s intuition is powerful. It’s a trait often mentioned, sometimes joked about, but rarely understood in all its complexity. Don’t believe it? Keep reading.
Even the CIA knows women make better spies.
Studies have shown that women excel in roles requiring subtlety, empathy, and observational skills—qualities that make them exceptional in espionage. Women can blend in, build trust, and read situations with a precision that is sometimes attributed to a heightened sense of intuition.
They’re also good at sensing when things are amiss.
Okay, ladies, now let’s get in formation.
So, what exactly is this thing called intuition?
The British Journal of Psychology defined intuition as: what happens when the brain draws on past experiences and external cues to make a decision—but it happens so fast that the reaction is at an unconscious level. This is not just a magical sixth sense but rather a sophisticated mental process that synthesizes information rapidly.
In other words, intuition is our brain’s ability to draw on internal and external cues while making rapid, in-the-moment decisions. Often occurring subconsciously, intuition relies on our brain’s ability to instantaneously evaluate the situation and make a decision based on gut-instincts. This process is a byproduct of our brain’s capacity to integrate vast amounts of information quickly and efficiently.
Judith Orloff, MD, is the assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA and the author of Guide to Intuitive Healing: Five Steps to Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Wellness. She said the following:
Just like the brain, there are neurotransmitters in the gut that can respond to environmental stimuli and emotions in the now—it’s not just about past experiences. When those neurotransmitters fire, you may feel the sensation of butterflies or uneasiness in your stomach. Researchers theorize that gut-instinct plays a large role in intuition by sending signals to your brain. I teach my patients to always listen to their gut—that sixth sense that’s telling you something might not be right—particularly if you’re sensing danger. If you listen to it and you’re wrong, you’ve lost nothing. Perhaps you took a longer route home or you ducked into a store until the feeling passed. If you don’t listen to it and you’re right, things could turn out very badly. More often than not, your gut is right, so listen up! It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
The Evolution of Intuition
Science suggests women’s intuition is a product of evolution. Females with a strong ability to understand and predict the needs of their offspring and mates thrive over females with inferior senses.
This ability likely evolved as a survival mechanism. Anthropological studies suggest that women who could sense danger or read subtle social cues were more likely to protect their offspring and ensure the continuity of their lineage.
Developing Intuition Through Social Conditioning
In many societies, previous generations of women were often expected to be seen but not heard. This cultural conditioning led women to develop a heightened sense of observation, becoming hyper-sensitive to the feelings and nonverbal cues of others.
This ability to observe and intuit has been passed down through generations, making it a powerful tool for understanding complex social dynamics. Today, this ability can be seen in various professional and personal scenarios where women often excel at mediating conflicts and understanding emotional undercurrents.
Women may exhibit more intuition, empathy, collaboration, self-control, and appropriate concern because of increased blood flow in the brain. Or as Dr. Daniel Amen, Founder of the Amen Clinics, put it:
“The female brain is wired for leadership.”
Indeed, women’s intuitive skills make them adept leaders, capable of making quick yet thoughtful decisions by balancing logical analysis with empathy. This blend of qualities is increasingly recognized as essential in modern leadership contexts.
Perhaps they should have been listening to us all along.
We are also better at showing our emotions through facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. Whereas, men are better at hiding their emotions and maintaining a poker face.
But often, we’re still able to decode your tells. Women’s keen intuitive abilities allow them to decode these subtle, often unconscious signals.
Research on nonverbal communication skills shows women are better at reading facial expressions and emotions. As a result, we are more likely to pick up on the subconscious cues of others.
The University of Cambridge conducted an experiment by showing people pictures of eyes. The subjects were then asked to conclude the person’s mood based on the appearance of the eyes in the photo.
Unsurprisingly, the ladies dominated.
When comparing MRI scans of brain activity, the female brain reveals an increased number of neural connections. This makes it more efficient and helps with interpreting one’s social surroundings.
These neural pathways allow for greater communication between the two hemispheres of the brain, enhancing women’s ability to process emotional information and connect it with rational thinking.
Men have intuition, too.
On the other hand, the male brain is neurologically wired to be more logical, making it more effective at linking perception with action. This helps men be more intuitive in a different sense, particularly in areas like spatial awareness and problem-solving. So, while women may excel in emotional and social intuition, men have their own areas of intuitive strength. You guys also have better spatial intelligence, so stop making us navigate!
Trusting the Intuitive Mind
History and science both agree women’s intuition is more than just a myth. It’s an amazing cognitive process that has evolved to help women navigate complex social landscapes.
As our understanding of the brain continues to grow, so does our appreciation of intuition as a valuable skill, not just for women but for everyone. Listen to that little voice in your head; trust your gut. It might just save you a lot of heartbreak.