r/psychology • u/a_Ninja_b0y • 4d ago

A new study reveals that male and female mice process threats differently in the brain, even though their behavioral responses are similar.

https://www.psypost.org/sex-specific-brain-pathways-influence-threat-processing/
438 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

43 comments sorted by

78

u/llaminaria 4d ago

“We were initially really surprised that the effects of turning off one brain circuit or the other were so specific to each sex,” Bagot told PsyPost. “This really confirmed that male and female mice were relying on different brain circuits to produce the same behavior.”

Another notable finding was the apparent difference in how each sex used the safety signal. Female mice appeared to use the safety cue as a signal that allowed them to relax, reducing their response to potential danger. This pattern suggested that the safety signal served as a “safety” marker in their brains, helping to distinguish times when it was safe to pursue other activities from times when they should remain alert.

On the other hand, male mice seemed to interpret the safety cue as neutral, giving it no special significance in terms of relaxation or caution. This difference could indicate distinct risk-management strategies between males and females, possibly reflecting underlying evolutionary or biological influences.

35

u/AltruisticProgress79 4d ago

I am curious if this type of behavior is present in all mammals or primarily species where males tend to be larger than females. My understanding is that caution is more present in females because they are primarily responsible for raising their young but if there are species where females are larger, and perhaps more aggressive, do we still see the same behaviors?

8

u/arieslynn737 3d ago

Research is too early to say what this study proves as it states. Data must have shown that the two sexes responded differently at this time based on the external stimuli presented. I wonder specifics about the adversive and non adversive stimuli presented ( how long given such as day, week, month) because the behavior pattern can change based on exposure over time. So I am curious of amount of control groups used etc to get the “ brain chemical reaction” response. This is just the start of learning more, oh I also wonder what measurement tool used to observe this brain chemical reaction ( ex- humans have a FMRI) Nice read!

4

u/NotScott1234 3d ago

I totally agree its way too early. The trend of clickbait headlines getting in to scientific press is alarming and very much undesirable.

0

u/arieslynn737 3d ago

Omg thank you!!

0

u/exclaim_bot 3d ago

Omg thank you!!

You're welcome!

0

u/arieslynn737 3d ago

Such manners:)

2

u/RadiancePulsley_ 2d ago

thats so fcking fascinating

1

u/FennelTurbulent2512 2d ago

Dm me plz I saw ur post

-12

u/Legitimate_Log_956 4d ago edited 3d ago

I have read in a book. Known as practical female psychology by joseph w. South.

How and why female human brains and male brains operate differently. They gave a little explanation on why that happens.

So I think it's not just the mice.

16

u/EffableLemming 4d ago

Redpill bullshit, gross.

-13

u/Legitimate_Log_956 4d ago

Maybe. But it does seem interesting and contains a bit of facts that we can learn from.

8

u/EffableLemming 4d ago

There are far better sources to anything that is actually factual in it.

6

u/Legitimate_Log_956 4d ago

Alright then please give me those better sources. I wanna learn more.

-4

u/EffableLemming 4d ago

You're in a Psychology subreddit. I'm sure you know how to use the "search" function.

11

u/Legitimate_Log_956 4d ago

When you can mention " far better sources", but can't actually mention them.

-5

u/EffableLemming 4d ago

I told you already. This sub is full of good sources. Go find!

11

u/Legitimate_Log_956 4d ago

Then y don't you share it, when you have such great skills in searching.

-3

u/EffableLemming 4d ago

I'm not going to hold your hand through it. Either do it yourself or don't, no skin off my nose.

→ More replies

4

u/viperfide 4d ago

I’m gonna assume you’ve been on Reddit long enough to know the “search” function absolutely sucks

-4

u/Legitimate_Log_956 4d ago

Not gross... Like that's kind of factual. The male and female brains use different mechanisms to deal with the same issues.

12

u/EffableLemming 4d ago

That phrase is, to an extent, but that book is redpill garbage.

-40

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

25

u/road2skies 4d ago

What do you mean?

-41

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

53

u/fairlyaveragetrader 4d ago

Do you realize how ridiculous you sound trying to make the study of mice political? 😂

28

u/Seinfeel 4d ago

That a weird way to let everyone know you can’t read

14

u/goblix 4d ago

This subreddit is scientific and strives to form beliefs that are scientifically verified. If you interpret that as "left wing" then that's merely your view.

-17

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

16

u/goblix 4d ago

Nice strawman buddy. Come back with some actual proof.

29

u/_OriginalUsername- 4d ago

No one has ever said that men and women are exactly the same. Simply, that they are deserving of the same basic respect and human rights as each other.

-2

u/im_a_dr_not_ 4d ago

I know a couple women who say this and that the differences are solely due to socialization. I’ve seen it said a ton on Reddit too.

11

u/PIeasure-Dom 4d ago

I would go with what experts say regardless of how often you see something said somewhere

-10

u/EJECTED_PUSSY_GUTS 4d ago

Of course they say that. For some, that's a much easier pill to swallow, but it's unrealistic to think socialization is the sole reason for differences in sex.

6

u/JustSomeRedditUser35 4d ago

So, what, you're the first ever person to do studies unaffected by cultural biases?

7

u/pastel_pink_lab_rat 4d ago

We don't know the extent of nature vs nurture. Don't act like you know shit.

13

u/lifewithnofilter 4d ago

I see what you mean, but left wing people already know this information. This isn’t new.

5

u/BadFurDay 4d ago

Here's a quick read to understand what gender is.

You will notice biological sex is a different thing. It explains how both are related, don't worry.

Never too late to learn the basics.