Risk-taking tendencies among males compared to females
In a pioneering study, researchers from HSE University and the Max Planck Institute uncovered a link between the brain's theta rhythm and gender differences in risk-taking attitudes. Led by Dr. Tania Lombrozo, the project sought to determine if neuronal oscillations in the anterior cingulate cortex correlate with risk-taking.
Thirty-five participants, with an equal number of men and women, took part in the experiment. Each underwent magnetoencephalography and three tests measuring risk-taking and impulsivity.
The study revealed that, on average, men displayed a higher risk appetite, opening an average of 48 boxes in the boxes test, compared to women's 40. Women, however, chose fewer boxes on their first try, averaging 31 out of 100 compared to men.
The researchers also found a correlation between the strength of frontal theta rhythms, particularly those localized in the anterior cingulate cortex, and the results of the game and subjective assessments of benefits and losses from risky behaviors. Interestingly, frontal theta asymmetry was not significantly related to the number of boxes selected in the sample, but a positive correlation was evident only among women.
Maria Azanova, the lead author, speculates that such differences related to hormonal regulation may also influence the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and other clinical conditions among women. It is likely that both the activity of this brain region and risk-taking are influenced by hormone levels such as testosterone.
The DOSPERT Benefits scale was the only questionnaire that showed a similar result, with men being more optimistic about the positive outcome of a risky venture. The authors also aimed to test whether the combined strength of theta rhythms of both frontal lobes is associated with behavior under uncertainty.
The researchers suggest that individual variability in the strength of theta rhythms in the anterior cingulate cortex is related to gender differences in assessing the consequences of risky actions and attitudes toward risk. They plan to continue exploring this topic further.
The study offers valuable insights into the neurophysiological basis of gender differences in risk-taking behavior, opening avenues for further research and potential interventions in areas such as financial decision-making, health behavior, and mental health.
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