Both Males and Females use the same problem-solving techniques, but in different contexts. As a result, what is problem solving for one may be justification for the other. In fact, for the four perspectives in any given story, in one Throughline both male and female mental sex characters will see a given approach as problem solving, while in another Throughline both will see it as justification. The third Throughline would be problem solving for one mental sex and justification for the other and the fourth just the reverse.

Men tend to use linear problem solving as their first method of choice. In linear problem solving, they set a specific goal, determine the steps necessary to achieve that goal, and embark on the effort to carry out those steps. Gathering facts, or successfully achieving requirements all deal with seeing several definable items that must be brought together to make the mechanism work in the desired manner.

This is a spatial view of problem solving, as it sees all the parts that must be accomplished or brought together to resolve the problem or achieve the goal.

Women TEND to use holistic problem solving as their first method of choice. In holistic problem solving, steps are not important and there may not even be a specific goal to achieve but simply a new direction wanted. As a result, the relationships between things are measured and adjusted to create a change in the forces that decide that direction. Unlike male problem solving, there is no causal relationship stating that this leads to that. Instead, combinations of changes in the way things relate alters the dynamics of the situation rather than the structure, and changes context rather than meaning.

This is a temporal view of problem solving, as it looks at the way things are going and tries to alter relationships so to deflect the direction of the forces that create the problem.

Men and women use both problem-solving techniques. Also, women may become trained to use the linear method first, and men may develop a preference for the holistic method as their primary problem solving approach. These are preferences made through conscious choice, training, or experience. Underneath it all, the brain's operating system for problem solving will either be linear or holistic. This is what sets men and women apart from one another. No matter how much common ground they come to from training, experience and conscious choice, there is always that underlying level in which they can rarely see eye to eye, because they have intrinsically different outlooks.

So, when choosing male or female mental sex, we are not concerned with the up front and obvious. What concerns us is the hidden level at the foundation of the Main Character's psyche that dictates a linear or holistic approach to the problem regardless of what is done consciously.

That's why the issue becomes vague--because it is not cut and dried in the Main Character nor is it up front. It is just their tendency at the lowest most basic part of their mind to go linear or holistic.

How can we illustrate this in a Main Character? The following point-by-point comparison can help:

 

Female: Looks at motivations

Male: Looks at purposes

Female: Tries to see connections

Male: Tries to gather evidence

Female: Sets up conditions

Male: Sets up requirements

Female: Determines the leverage points that can restore balance

Male: Breaks a job into steps

Female: Seeks fulfillment

Male: Seeks satisfaction

Female: Concentrates on "Why" and "When"

Male: Concentrates on "How" and "What"

Female: Puts the issues in context

Male: Argues the issues

Female: Tries to hold it all together

Male: Tries to pull it all together

As we can see, though both men and women will use both techniques depending on context, one kind comes first or takes priority. Mental Sex determines which one is the principal technique. So, if you keep in mind that this all may be overshadowed by other learned techniques, you can illustrate male and female problem solving techniques as a tendency to employ those listed above, all other things being equal.