[Science Saw] – A New Study Shows the Secret Tip to Reduce Aggression in Men.
Highlights:
- Tears, thought to protect eyes, surprisingly reduce aggression in men, challenging traditional views.
- In three experiments, tears significantly reduced male aggression compared to saline.
- Tears, though scentless, activate parts of the nose, suggesting they are detectable.
- Brain scans show tears decrease aggression-related brain activity and increase communication between smell and aggression areas.
- Tears may reduce aggression, suggesting crying as non-verbal communication.
- How to handle aggressive men.
So, there’s this new study that’s pretty cool. It’s all about tears and how they affect men’s aggression levels. It turns out that tears have a superpower: they can actually reduce aggression in men.
So, scientists were curious about why humans cry and what tears do besides just protecting our eyes. They had this big question about whether tears might send messages between people, kind of like secret signals.
It’s like how animals use their smell to talk to each other, but humans don’t have that super-strong smell system like animals do.
This team of researchers did three different experiments to find out what tears do and how they affect men.
First, they got tears from women who could easily cry, collected them and used them in their experiments. Then they got some salty water that was kind of like tears (they call it saline) to compare.
In the first experiment, they had some men sniff either real tears or the salty water and then play this game to see how aggressive they were. And guess what?
The guys who sniffed the tears were 43.7% less aggressive than the ones who sniffed the saline. That’s a huge drop in aggression, way more than scientists usually see in their experiments.
Next, in the second experiment, they tested different smelling parts in our noses to see if any of them reacted to tears.
They found that four out of the 62 parts of our noses responded to tears, but none of them reacted to the saline. This was surprising because tears don’t really have a smell, but somehow our noses can detect them.
Then, they used this big machine called an fMRI in the third experiment to see what happens in guys’ brains when they sniff tears.
They found that when guys sniffed tears, their brains showed less activity in areas linked to aggression. Also, the areas in their brains for smelling stuff and being aggressive were talking to each other more when they sniffed tears.
These experiments suggest that tears have a role in how we interact with each other. They can actually calm down aggression, which is pretty neat.
This shows that crying might be a way of communicating without using words, especially in close interactions.
But wait, there are some things they didn’t check. They only tested a few smelling parts in men’s noses, so there might be more that react to tears.
Plus, they only used men in the study, so they are not sure if tears affect women in the same way. And being in that big machine might have made the guys feel weird, which could have affected their responses.
The scientists are planning to do more research, maybe with more smelling parts in our noses and with women too.
They want to understand better why tears affect us and what exactly makes them happen. This could be pretty important for understanding how our bodies work and maybe even helping with some health stuff in the future.
Aggressive Men
Aggression in men covers a wide range of behaviors, from yelling to physical fights. People often link aggression with being “manly” or tough, but it’s influenced by many things, not just biology.
Biologically, men tend to have more testosterone, which can make them more prone to aggression. Back in the day, being aggressive might have helped guys survive by protecting their stuff or competing for partners.
But it’s not just about biology; experiences and surroundings also shape how aggressive guys can be.
Growing up in a tough environment or seeing violence as a kid can make someone more likely to act aggressively later on.
Also, personality traits like being impulsive, easily angered or not very empathetic can also make a person more aggressive.
Society plays a big role too. We often think of being aggressive as a sign of being tough or in control, which puts pressure on guys to act that way. Some guys might even hide their feelings or act tough to fit in.
While aggression can sometimes be useful, like in self-defense, going overboard can cause a lot of problems. It can mess up relationships, make it hard to get along with others and even get someone in trouble with the law.
So, understanding what causes aggression and finding ways to manage it can help guys lead happier, healthier lives.
It’s not just about changing biology—it’s also about changing attitudes and helping guys express themselves in healthier ways.
How to Handle Aggressive Men
Dealing with aggressive individuals or men can be tough, but it’s crucial to handle the situation calmly and confidently for your safety and the well-being of everyone involved.
These are some practical tips on how to navigate such situations:
Keep Your Cool: Stay calm and collected. Avoid responding with anger or aggression, as it may worsen the situation.
Create Distance: If possible, put some physical space between you and the aggressive person. This can help calm things down and minimize the risk of physical harm.
Non-Threatening Body Language: Steer clear of sudden movements or gestures that might be seen as threatening. Keep your body language open and maintain eye contact without appearing confrontational.
Speak Clearly and Calmly: Use a steady and calm tone when speaking. Avoid yelling, as it could escalate the aggression. Clearly communicate your message without being confrontational.
Set Clear Boundaries: Express your boundaries assertively. Clearly state what behavior is unacceptable, striking a balance between firmness and avoiding unnecessary confrontation.
Actively Listen: Give the person a chance to express themselves. Sometimes, aggression stems from frustration or feeling unheard. Actively listening can help you understand their perspective.
Minimize Physical Contact: Refrain from touching the person unless absolutely necessary. Physical contact might make the situation worse and increase the risk of harm.
Seek Assistance: If you feel unsafe or if the aggression persists, seek help promptly. Call law enforcement or security personnel if required.
Know Your Exit Routes: Stay aware of your surroundings and identify potential exit routes. Having an exit plan in mind is crucial in case the situation escalates and you need to leave quickly.
Use De-Escalation Techniques: Employ techniques like reflecting the person’s emotions, using calming statements or suggesting a break to cool off.
Involve Authorities if Needed: If the aggression continues or poses a threat, don’t hesitate to involve the appropriate authorities, such as the police or security personnel.
Prioritize Self-Care: After the incident, focus on your well-being. If you feel emotionally or mentally affected, consider seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional.
Remember, your safety comes first. Trust your instincts and if a situation feels unsafe, seek help. Dealing with aggression requires a mix of assertiveness, clear communication and a focus on de-escalation.
However, in the above study published in PLOS Biology, It’s amazing how something as simple as tears can have such a big impact on how we feel and act.