High-testosterone People Feel Rewarded By Others' Anger, New Study Finds

[IChing]

Most people don't appreciate an angry look, but a new University of Michigan psychology study found that some people find angry expressions so rewarding that they will readily learn ways to encourage them.

"It's kind of striking that an angry facial expression is consciously valued as a very negative signal by almost everyone, yet at a non-conscious level can be like a tasty morsel that some people will vigorously work for," said Oliver Schultheiss, co-author of the study and a U-M associate professor of psychology.
The findings may explain why some people like to tease each other so much, he added. "Perhaps teasers are reinforced by that fleeting 'annoyed look' on someone else's face and therefore will continue to heckle that person to get that look again and again," he said. "As long as it does not stay there for long, it's not perceived as a threat, but as a reward."

The researchers took saliva samples from participants to measure testosterone, a hormone that has been associated with dominance motivation.>>>>snip

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070511095337.htm

[MADem]

1. Isn't that interesting! And the way to piss off the teasers is to feign cluelessness!

And here's why emoticons matter on the internets!!

She said the findings contribute to a body of research suggesting that perceived emotional facial expressions are important signals to help guide human behavior, even if people are not aware that they do so.

"The human brain may have built-in mechanisms to detect and respond to emotions perceived in others," she said. "However, what an emotional facial expression, such as anger, 'means' to a given individual—whether it is something to pursue or avoid, for example—can vary."

[Solon]

2. THAT IS SUCH BULLSHIT!!!!!

:grr:

[IChing]

3. Well, Don't

get angry about it.....LOL:-) :spank: :rofl: :rofl:

[Solon]

5. I'M NOT ANGRY, I'M BITTER DAMMIT!

HELP, THE CAPSLOCK KEY IS STUCK!!! ;)

[IChing]

8. I'M NOT EITHER DAMNIT....MY CAPSLOCK IS STUCK TOO.

[camero]

4. And they eventually get thier reward

A good swift kick in the teeth.

[ThoughtCriminal]

6. I prefer to reward with sarcasm and ridicule

Because "High-testosterone" people just LOVE being laughed at.

[parasim]

7. Interesting. But I wonder if it's just facial expressions...

... that these people get off on. I mean, what about trolls on messageboards? They don't see facial expressions but seem to love to piss people off. Their reward, of course, is exasperating respones to their diatribes.

Totally interesting study.

[Cerridwen]

10. Which begs the question...

what if they are ignored - no one responds to them. No reward, no further trolling?

[Cerridwen]

9. I have four uncles who taught me something similar years ago.

I stopped following my mother's lead and quit reacting to their teasing. They went in search of new "victims". Nothing bores a "bully" more than someone who refuses to "play".

[Manifestor_of_Light]

12. I ignored them decades ago in school and they didn't stop.

I wasn't big enough to beat them up.

[Cerridwen]

15. I had protections you didn't.

My mom would have eviscerated anyone who laid a hand on me. Yes, even her own brothers; or especially her own brothers? Hmm...

[Kelly Rupert]

11. Thus explaining three-quarters of internet message boards. n/t

[Forkboy]

14. I was thinking the same thing.

It explains a lot.

[porphyrian]

13. Is anyone who remembers their school years surprised?

Isn't it dangerous to start pointing out peoples' hormonal behaviors, though?