Men, women respond differently to stimuli

[The Straight Story]

Men, women respond differently to stimuli

CHICAGO, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Using brain scans, researchers in Poland found men and women respond differently to positive and negative stimuli.

Dr. Andrzej Urbanik of Jagiellonian University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, and colleagues recruited 40 right-handed volunteers -- 21 men and 19 women -- between the ages of 18-36. The volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while viewing pictures from a widely used, standardized testing system comprised of several thousand slides of various objects and images from ordinary life designed to evoke defined emotional states.

For the first run, only negative pictures were shown. For the second run, only positive pictures were shown, Urbanik said.

While viewing the negative images, women showed decidedly stronger and more extensive activation in the left thalamus, which relays sensory information to and from the cerebral cortex, including the pain and pleasure centers, Urbanik said.

Men exhibited more activation in the left insula, which gauges the physiological state of the entire body and then generates subjective feelings that can bring about actions. Information from the insula is relayed to other brain structures involved in decision making.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/11/30/Men-women-respond-differently-to-stimuli/UPI-18101259611228/

[imdjh]

1. Yeah, men react to what's actually happening, what's actually been said, what's actually...

... been done.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. I assume you meant "men" instead of "mean". -nt

[imdjh]

9. Ya. Thenks

[NYC_SKP]

2. Very Interesting...

:popcorn:

[XOKCowboy]

3. Well DUH!

Glad we've got scientific confirmation of THAT!

[slackmaster]

15. Given that similar results have been shown on numerous occasions

And personal experience, that was my reaction as well.

[winyanstaz]

4. From the posts I can tell I shall have to explain this for some....

It has already been scientifically established that women use BOTH halves of the brain..and when they are showing signs of using the cerebral cortex..it means they are actually THINKING about the connections of things and the inter-actions. They are also in touch with their FEELINGS.
Men on the other hand, by only using half a brain at a time are more involved with the left brain and is all about the body ...a fight or flight mechanism that kicks in.
Then and only then do they bother (if at all) to actually have the information relayed to the other brain structures (the cerebral cortex) that are involved in DECISION MAKING/thinking.

[yawnmaster]

8. Are you saying that men are more efficient in their brain use to certain stimuli...

and that women "overthink" the stimuli?

[winyanstaz]

12. no...not at all...

I am saying men use half their brain at a time and women use both sides.
A man's response there for is mainly triggered by the fight or flight and the basic instincts of that side of the brain.
They are not as apt to consider the feelings of either themselves or others nor the long term consequences of how their actions will affect others so much...at least not at the moment they are exposed to the stimulus.
This using of only half the brain at a time is why men seem to have so much trouble expressing or understanding their own emotions and feelings on things.
This however is perfect for the male as they need to be able to respond to threats or situations instantly in their role as protector, and hunter.
A woman's response will be made after weighing both the pros and cons of how it affects others as well as what her personal feelings are saying to her.
Since she uses both sides..she can either fight or flight AND/OR realize the consequences on others in the long term.
This is perfect for the female of the species as they are the main caregivers and nurturers and will consider how the whole family/tribe/community will be effected.
I would hardly call using all your brain as "over-thinking".
Nor is using one half at a time "under-thinking."
I am NOT saying one side of the sexes is "better" than the other. I am saying they complement each other and both ways of thinking are needed for the survival of the species but they must work together for the best results.

[Speck Tater]

5. Now that there's an objective, unbiased way to asses gender differences...

...it might be very interesting to conduct the same tests with gay men, gay women, and transgenders. If a biological basis in the brain could be established then maybe we could finally put to rest all that Christian BS about "choice", and take a giant leap forward for gay rights.

[TexasObserver]

7. Makes perfect sense.

[pitohui]

10. would you post so eagerly if it was telling how the brains of diff. races differed based on only 40?

this is a study of no merit, of only 40 people, but there is always some one there happy to tell me how science has proved that i am inferior because my brain is in a female body, oh, excuse me, "different" and yet somehhow "different" always ends up meaning inferior somehow

seriously would anyone on DU post this, if it was a study of 40 people, 21 white, and 19 black, purporting to show that the brains of different races react differently to stimuli?

[slackmaster]

14. Please tell us what size sample set would give a meaningful result...

And what statistical models and tests would be most appropriate for this kind of study.

[The Straight Story]

17. Define 'eagerly'

I read news sites, see an interesting article, post it.

If anything I think some might take this as a negative towards men.

Myself, I don't see it as a negative in any manner, just an observation some researchers made.

In regards to the race thing - yes, would have posted it here to see discussion on it as I am always learning new ways to look at things from people here.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

11. Does anyone have a link to the actual study?

I find this interesting.

[Igel]

18. I've rummaged a bit.

Best I can do is http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/11/men-and-women-see-things-differently.html , which basically says it was a presentation or poster.

http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/new-study-finds-men-and-women-may-respond-differently-danger-27610.html has a lot of quotes, so I assume it was an actual paper.

Urbanik has no web page that I can find. One of the co-author's names, Liliana Posadlo, is consistently misspelled as "Lilianna". If you want to get picky, the l in Posadlo is barred.

However, Urbanik, as head of the dept. and access to nifty equipment, has his fingers in all kinds of research. (Including some involving language.)

If you find it in Polish, PM me with the link and I'll hack out a rough-and-ready translation, if it's not too long.

[branders seine]

13. Is this the famous "beer

versus blah blah blah" Response?

[SoCalDem]

16. In other groundbreaking experiments, ... water is wet..n/t

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

19. Men are pragmatic & women are emotional... ya don't say?!?