Research studies have shown that information about women is processed differently than information about men. Findings have been robust, across many types of situations. Objective observers process this information differently as well.

These differences have been called "information-processing biases." They have been observed in differences in processing information about women and men. They have been observed in differences in processing information about other non-dominant social groups as well (ethnic, gay and lesbian, differnetly abled, religious minorities, etc.).

Different sets of studies show that depression is more prevalent in women than in men. There are biological hypotheses for this fact. A biological perspective suggests a relationship between hormones, greater biological variation in women’s bodies, immune suppression, and depression. There are metabolic, developmental, social and trauma perspectives that can be considered as well.

But what if information-processing biases also play a role in the greater prevalence of depression in women? What if this is a mediating variable that influences biological, emotional, and social variables?

How can we find out whether this might be true? Shall we conduct an experiment right here? Now? If this is true, what can we do about it?