Risk-taking tendencies more prevalent among males compared to females
Researchers from HSE University and the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences have published an intriguing study in Frontiers in Neuroscience. The study, led by author Maria Azanova, explores the connection between the brain's theta rhythm and gender differences in attitudes towards risk.
The research involved 35 participants, with 15 of them being women. Each participant underwent a magnetoencephalography (MEG) scan and three tests designed to measure risk-taking and impulsivity.
The study found that the strength of the frontal theta rhythms, particularly those localized in the anterior cingulate cortex, correlated with the results of the game and subjective assessments of benefits and losses from risky behaviors. Interestingly, the frontal theta asymmetry was not significantly related to the number of boxes selected in the sample, except for a positive correlation among women.
On average, men showed a higher risk appetite, opening an average of 48 boxes compared to women's 40. This finding aligns with previous research that suggests women take risks less frequently than men.
The authors also aimed to determine whether neuronal oscillations generated in the anterior cingulate cortex, an area of the brain involved in error monitoring and possibly linked to gender differences in decision-making, correlate with risk-taking.
The researchers suggest that individual variability in the strength of theta rhythms in the anterior cingulate cortex may be related to gender differences in assessing the consequences of risky actions and attitudes towards risk. They also speculate that hormonal regulation may influence these differences.
The authors plan to continue exploring this topic, aiming to further understand the complex interplay between brain activity, hormones, and gender differences in risk-taking behavior.
In summary, this new study provides valuable insights into the connection between the brain's theta rhythm and gender differences in attitudes towards risk. The findings suggest that individual characteristics of brain activity, such as the strength of theta rhythms in the anterior cingulate cortex, may play a significant role in these differences.
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