The Male Brain
Surprisingly there's more going on in there then previously thought ;)
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/23/brizendine.male.brain/index.ht...
Although women the world over have been doing it for centuries, we can't really blame a guy for being a guy. And this is especially true now that we know that the male and female brains have some profound differences.
Our brains are mostly alike. We are the same species, after all. But the differences can sometimes make it seem like we are worlds apart.
The "defend your turf" area -- dorsal premammillary nucleus -- is larger in the male brain and contains special circuits to detect territorial challenges by other males. And his amygdala, the alarm system for threats, fear and danger is also larger in men. These brain differences make men more alert than women to potential turf threats.
Meanwhile, the "I feel what you feel" part of the brain -- mirror-neuron system -- is larger and more active in the female brain. So women can naturally get in sync with others' emotions by reading facial expressions, interpreting tone of voice and other nonverbal emotional cues.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the male and female brain is that men have a sexual pursuit area that is 2.5 times larger than the one in the female brain. Not only that, but beginning in their teens, they produce 200 to 250 percent more testosterone than they did during pre-adolescence.
If testosterone were beer, a 9-year-old boy would be getting the equivalent of a cup a day. But a 15-year-old would be getting the equivalent of nearly two gallons a day. This fuels their sexual engines and makes it impossible for them to stop thinking about female body parts and sex.
And so begins the 'Man Trance'
All that testosterone drives the "Man Trance"-- that glazed-eye look a man gets when he sees breasts. As a woman who was among the ranks of the early feminists, I wish I could say that men can stop themselves from entering this trance. But the truth is, they can't. Their visual brain circuits are always on the lookout for fertile mates. Whether or not they intend to pursue a visual enticement, they have to check out the goods.
To a man, this is the most natural response in the world, so he's dismayed by how betrayed his wife or girlfriend feels when she sees him eyeing another woman. Men look at attractive women the way we look at pretty butterflies. They catch the male brain's attention for a second, but then they flit out of his mind. Five minutes later, while we're still fuming, he's deciding whether he wants ribs or chicken for dinner. He asks us, "What's wrong?" We say, "Nothing." He shrugs and turns on the TV. We smolder and fear that he'll leave us for another woman.
Not surprisingly, the different objectives that men and women have in mating games put us on opposing teams -- at least at first. The female brain is driven to seek security and reliability in a potential mate before she has sex. But a male brain is fueled to mate and mate again. Until, that is, he mates for life.
Despite stereotypes to the contrary, the male brain can fall in love just as hard and fast as the female brain, and maybe more so. When he meets and sets his sights on capturing "the one," mating with her becomes his prime directive. And when he succeeds, his brain makes an indelible imprint of her. Lust and love collide and he's hooked.
The 'Doting Daddy Brain'
A man in hot pursuit of a mate doesn't even remotely resemble a devoted, doting daddy. But that's what his future holds. When his mate becomes pregnant, she'll emit pheromones that will waft into his nostrils, stimulating his brain to make more of a hormone called prolactin. Her pheromones will also cause his testosterone production to drop by 30 percent.
These hormonal changes make him more likely to help with the baby. They also change his perceptual circuitry, increasing his ability to hear a baby cry, something many men can't do very well before their wives are pregnant.
And a word to the wise for all the young mothers who are reluctant to let your husbands hold and care for your newborn. The more hands-on care a father gives his infant, the more his brain aligns with the role of fatherhood. So, hand over the baby.
His emotions run deep
Studies of men's faces show that the male brain's initial emotional reaction can be stronger than the female brain's. But within 2.5 seconds, he changes his face to hide the emotion, or even reverse it. The repeated practice of hiding his emotions gives men the classic poker face.
It's his poker face and his analytical response to personal problems that can put him in the doghouse. She's crying as she talks about what's wrong with the relationship, and instead of hugging her, his mind is racing to find a way to resolve the problem as soon as possible. With practice and because of the way their brains are wired, men use their analytical brain structures, not their emotional ones, to find a solution.
They enjoy this advantage, but women often take affront to it. When you're telling your husband your problem and he tries to solve it instead of hearing you out, you may think he's being insensitive. But that's not what's going on in his brain. He's working to solve the problem so he can relieve your pain as quickly as possible. Not because he doesn't care or doesn't want to listen, but because he loves you.
'Lovable Grandpas' and 'Grumpy Old Men'
As men age, the male brain hormones change and the male brain and body goes into the stage of life called andropause. The king of male hormones -- testosterone -- goes down and the queen of female hormones -- estrogen -- goes up. Whether Grandpa is your kids' hero or the grouch they hate to visit depends a lot on how he handles these hormonal changes. For example, if his testosterone levels drop to an abnormally low level, he can feel tired, irritable and even depressed. Some men in this condition seek hormone replacement therapy and others find relief in exercise, more frequent sex, and spending more time with other people.
Whether Grandpa is your kids' hero or the grouch they hate to visit depends a lot on how he handles these hormonal changes.
The grandpa that kids can't wait to see is the one who's feeling the effects of the hormone oxytocin, often called the "cuddle hormone." He's fun and playful and likes to hear what his grandchildren have to say. He's much more patient with your children than he was with you, when you were growing up. The love circuits of the mature male brain can be hijacked by his grandkids, even more than they were by his own children.
The 'Lonely Hearts Club'
Not only is the mature male brain more receptive to closer bonds, but it's also more sensitive to loneliness. Nobody thrives when they're lonely, but it seems to take a major toll on older men. Sixty percent of divorces in couples over the age of 50 are initiated by women, leaving their husbands shell-shocked and devastated.
Once his wife leaves, unless he makes a point of socializing more with other people, his brain stops getting the social workout it needs to make him feel good about himself. If he becomes a loner, his social-approval circuits don't get activated. In brain scan studies of older males researchers have found that the brain's pleasure and reward areas, the VTA and the NAc, remain more active in men who are social. So don't begrudge the divorcee or the new widower some socializing and seeking female companionship.
The bottom line
The human brain is the best learning machine on the planet and human beings are capable of making major changes in our lives. But there are some things that the male brain and female brain are not likely to change anytime soon. And it makes more sense to deal with these brain realities, than to argue with them or ignoring them.
The best advice I have for women is make peace with the male brain. Let men be men.
nomerci when are you next visiting the beach and whats the going rate ladies?
-----------------
Can We Fix It?
Yes We Can!
O what a business QS.. You could can get mega rich!..
I remember in my Teenage days. We boys used to frequent Kingscross (for those who are old enough to remember why KingsX was fanmous).
The going rate then was 10 quid for gropping the breasts, and obvisouly more for extra services..:)
-----------------
Can We Fix It?
Yes We Can!
hmm, so next time somebody uses me to increase their life span, I shall go and charge xxxxx amount of QR.
Do the idiots think it is for free???
What comes around, goes around....
QS cheque or cash :P
aaahhh..khattameethapaan... now I got it why they all practicing this exercise on ME!
they are increasing their life span!
yeah... what a business i can do!
"Increasing Life Span! ONLY QAR 1000 a minute! Motto: Look at me and YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER!!"
*********************
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
how about generating a headache, Uk?
*********************
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Lol..
There must be some thing wrong with my brain, does not have so much Sex in it?..:(
-----------------
Can We Fix It?
Yes We Can!
-
WK, Dont worry Will serve you a lovely Chicken Tikka freshly delivered from Caravan..lol
-----------------
Can We Fix It?
Yes We Can!
I would love that :)
Chicken Tikka is one thing which makes me forget that I am a vegetarian :P
Wk I fed 30 people on Friday and you still doubting my cooking, wait till I invite you over for my favorite British dish Chicken Tikka massala..
-----------------
Can We Fix It?
Yes We Can!
Good to hear that you love cooking Olive, so the next time we are at the Zig Zag we know that we won't starve..:)
Now back to the topic..
Now since the male brains has to work overtime compared to our opposite sex. That's explains baldness is related to men. So the conclusion that Bald men think too much compared to the one with hair?..lol
-----------------
Can We Fix It?
Yes We Can!
UkEng making tea doesn't qualify as cooking :-P
Yup UK. I love cooking to, which is why it's good he doesn't!
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
It never crossed me that cooking skills can sometimes come in handy to strike a deal with a woman or else would have been advertising my skills on Indian & Chinese cuisines...:)________________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
Olive your sure you picked the right guy.. I love cooking..:)
-----------------
Can We Fix It?
Yes We Can!
I love to cook, which is good cause hubby to be can't boil water. :p
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
Thank you Olive :P
Happy I am a step ahead of you then, I make omelette too :)
I know how to cook, but don't like the kitchen at all. Hence boiled eggs would do or " instant noodles"...lol
Salaam
With all this going in our brains.. And then these women talk of equality puff..:)
-----------------
Can We Fix It?
Yes We Can!
LOL. You're being to harsh on him Happy. Lots of women can't cook, so I don't think that should be a clincher for the new househusbands. ;)
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
That's exactly what I'm trying to convince whyteknight to do. But he's not picking up the "social" signals.
whyteknight , she just said no, and looking through the list of men lined up...:P
Salaam
Happy Happy ask her if she can survive on instant noodles her whole life :))
And we are born with fundamental rights. Rest need to be instituted.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
"Resident Attention Seeker"
Sorry, home-made meals, prepared by YOU or there is no deal.
LOL
Salaam
I hear you, but I simply disagree, malpractice is malpractice. We're born with our rights in our genes, as blood in veins.
Salaam
Happy Happy I do have numbers of all the restaurants in town, we can always get home delivery. Does that help :P
WK, If you're taking care of the kids, Who will watch TV and stuff their face with BonBons.
Not enough, do you cook? if not, you don't qualify, my single grirl friend won't lilke you ..:P
Salaam
en related needs.
Happy - Equality is 'perceived' by us and is granted by law. It starts with social cartels which is my area of disagreement.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
"Resident Attention Seeker"
Ok so who wants to marry me, I will stay at home and take care of the kids :P
No No Happy, After I've read this article I realize there can be no equality, after all, according to this men are more emotional, fixated on sex and get distracted by pretty women to easily. I think the only recourse is to banish them from work and make them stay home and raise the kids, since it's apparently good for them. :P
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
Equality is not a "concept", it is a given right.
Salaam
One more survey to help men say that it's not their fault. :-P
"It is better to be hated for what you are than being loved for what you are not."
But FU, according to this marriage serves many of the man's most important instincts. Protection, sex & children.
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
nothing. It is good to appreciate the differences to be able to live peacefully.
And lest we forget - Marriage is the worst thing society ever created.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
"Resident Attention Seeker"
You may need to familiarize yourself with the brain and psychology of both genders, for better understanding of human relations. You'd find both genders complement each other.
And note that what science proves today, maybe revoked tomorrow.
We're all equal.
Salaam
When you're telling your husband your problem and he tries to solve it instead of hearing you out, you may think he's being insensitive. But that's not what's going on in his brain. He's working to solve the problem so he can relieve your pain as quickly as possible. Not because he doesn't care or doesn't want to listen, but because he loves you.
That makes a lot of sense to me. I keep wondering why I get yelled at....
But it's bloody hard to be monogamous when there is so much temptation around :P
Good point s_isale. Since men are more emotional then women and have a hard time thinking about anything but sex I don't think they should be allowed to work. They should have to stay home and take care of the kids .
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
then how can men and women be treated equally?
True FU.. now babes, dont blame us.
"there are some things that the male brain and female brain are not likely to change anytime soon. And it makes more sense to deal with these brain realities, than to argue with them or ignoring them."
Let men be men!
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
"Resident Attention Seeker"
Yup, and reinforced by men who can't keep it in their pants.
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
This is a rumor mongered by women who cannot keep their men.
Salaam
I just like that it confirms that men are monogamous too and that all this crap about men not being able to commit is just nonsense.
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
"Resident Attention Seeker"
There is also will power and self discipline. So, you're not off the hook, you need to apologize when you feel you should.
Salaam
Olive,Thank You. I can finally stop apologizing for doing all the things which come naturally to men.
Renowned Daniel Goleman confirms most of the facts in this post in his Social Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence books.
Nice one, thanks
Salaam
lol. I forgot one saying, it was something like, A man is either hungry or horny so if you don't see him naked, make him a sandwich :P
I know. Quite amazing! I really thought men just thought about sex! Now it seems they think about food to!
literal people are scary, man, literal people scare me
out there trying to rid the world of its poetry while getting it wrong fundamentally down at the church of "look,it sez right here, see!" Ani Difranco
Oh my so many things going on inside my little tiny brain, I am impressed by my brain :)
And girls don't get offended now if I stare at your breasts, it is natural and who am I to go against nature :D