Women take more time with risky decisions
Women respond differently to men when faced with risky decision making processes, a new study by the University of Southern California has revealed.
The research – published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience – found that women are more likely to consider their options carefully before coming to any conclusions when faced with a tricky dilemma.
Men meanwhile are are more likely to charge ahead after less thinking time, even when the rewards for doing so are small, the study claims.
According to the report’s author, there might be advantages to both stress responses, especially in areas with the need to weigh short-term gain and long-term benefits, such as the stock market, health decisions or retirement planning.
Commenting on the research findings, lead author of the study, Nichole Lighthall, said: “Stress caused men and women to make decisions differently, but when stress was absent their behavior and brain activation was much more similar.”
“Men and women faced with tough decisions might improve their communication by waiting until a stressful situation has passed.”
