 |
|
Study shows males are more tolerant of same-sex peers
February 12, 2009Women have traditionally been viewed as being more social and cooperative than men. However, there is recent evidence that this may not be the case. In fact, studies have shown that men maintain larger social networks with other males compared to women and tend to have longer lasting friendships with members of the same-sex than do women. Psychologist Joyce F. Benenson from Emmanuel College, along with her colleagues from Harvard University and the Universite du Quebec a Montreal wanted to compare males' and females' levels of tolerance towards same-sex peers.
The psychologists recruited male and female college students for this study and had them complete surveys about their relationship with their roommates. In a separate experiment, the participants read a story in which a hypothetical individual's best friend was described as being completely reliable until one day when they promised to hand in a paper and did not. After reading the story, the participants were to judge the best friend's reliability.
The findings, reported in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, reveal that males are more tolerant than females of unrelated same-sex individuals. The males in this study rated their roommates as being more satisfactory and less bothersome than females did. In addition, the researchers found at three different collegiate institutions that females were more likely to switch to a new roommate than males were. The results of the final experiment, in which participants judged one negative behavior of a formerly reliable hypothetical friend, showed that women downgraded the best friend's reliability significantly more than men did.
The researchers caution, however, that their definition of tolerance may be limited and more work needs to be done to uncover the fundamental processes suggested by their findings. For example, they suggest that, "at the most primitive level, females may have lower thresholds than males for sensing negative visual, auditory, or olfactory information in unrelated same-sex individuals." The authors surmise that gender differences in tolerance may be based on the different functions and expectations that same-sex friendships serve for males and females. They add, "Females may simply weight negative information more heavily than males do, because negative information disrupts the establishment of intimacy, which serves a more important function in same-sex relationships for females than for males." The authors go on to explain that the effort that we put into relationships with unrelated same-sex individuals may also depend on our short- and long- term needs during that specific time in our lives.
Association for Psychological Science
The researchers caution, however, that their definition of tolerance may be limited and more work needs to be done to uncover the fundamental processes suggested by their findings. For example, they suggest that, "at the most primitive level, females may have lower thresholds than males for sensing negative visual, auditory, or olfactory information in unrelated same-sex individuals." The authors surmise that gender differences in tolerance may be based on the different functions and expectations that same-sex friendships serve for males and females. They add, "Females may simply weight negative information more heavily than males do, because negative information disrupts the establishment of intimacy, which serves a more important function in same-sex relationships for females than for males." The authors go on to explain that the effort that we put into relationships with unrelated same-sex individuals may also depend on our short- and long- term needs during that specific time in our lives.
Association for Psychological Science
Friendships Current Events and Friendships News RSSChildren are not the only ones in the game when it comes to sports
Parents who sign their children up for sports as part of an educational experience and to learn about teamwork may be learning some of the same lessons themselves, according to new research from Purdue University.
Parents can help stop the obesity epidemic, says psychologist
Childhood obesity has quadrupled in the last 40 years, which may mean today's children become the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents, a leading obesity expert told the American Psychological Association on Saturday.
Teaching autistic teens to make friends
During the first week of class, the teens' eyes were downcast, their responses were mumbled and eye contact was almost nonexistent. By Week 12, though, these same kids were talkative, responsive and engaged.
Researchers identify personality traits
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine's (BUSM) New England Centenarian Study have noted specific personality traits associated with healthy aging and longevity amongst the children of centenarians.
Coming of Age on the Internet
In the mid-90s, the Internet seemed like a dark place. Indeed, scientific studies from that time were documenting some real risks for teenagers, including fewer close friendships and more tenuous connections with family. It appeared that teens were sacrificing real relationships for superficial cyber-relationships with total strangers.
How do secure mother-child attachments predict good friendships?
Preschool children who are securely attached to their mothers form closer friendships in the early grade-school years for a number of reasons, according to a new University of Illinois study published in Child Development.
Xenophobia, For Men Only
Very few people fear dandelions. Or even dangerous things - like Hummers. We may object to outsized automobiles on principle, but the mere sight of them doesn't make us tremble and sweat and run away. On the other hand, even toddlers show an automatic and powerful fear of snakes, including harmless ones.
Girls twice as likely as boys to remain victims of bullying
Girls targeted by bullies at primary school are two and a half times more likely to remain victims than boys, according to research from the University of Warwick and University of Hertfordshire.
Tiny protein provokes healthy bonding between cells
In human relationships, a certain "spark" often governs whether we prefer one person to another, and critical first impressions can occur within seconds. A team lead by Johns Hopkins researchers has found that cell-to-cell "friendships" operate in much the same way and that dysfunctional bonding is linked to the spread of cancer.
How to get a college roommate you can live with
Anxious college freshmen can relax. No matter who will be sharing their dorm room, they have the power to make the relationship better, University of Michigan research suggests.
More Friendships Current Events and Friendships News Articles
 |
KEEPSAKE FRIENDSHIP by Demdaco Friendship Keepsake Box Forever true, forever friends Willow Tree® |
|
The Friendship Factor: How to Get Closer to the People You Care for by Alan Loy McGinnis (Author) Here's a book that helps you learn how to be a warmer, more lovable person, how to communicate better, and how to resolve tension in your relationships. These clues for getting close apply to friend and friend, husband and wife, parent and child. | |
 |
2 Piece Yin Yang Friendship Pewter Pendant Necklace by Dan Jewelers Very cool pendant, it's actually composed of two pieces. You may wear them together, separate as different pendants, or give one to a friend/lover to share with you (note: separation requires new chains/necklaces). Highly detailed. This piece is a brand new fine crafted pewter pendant necklace. One piece has the shiny silvery finish, one piece has the blackish finish. It is made from the highest quality 100% pewter inside and out. Nickle-free. Comes ready to wear with jewelry black rope necklaces or you could put them on your favorite chain(s). Just amazing! Precious Metal Color Length without bail Pewter Silver 0.9 inches ... |
 |
Willow Tree "Friendship" Figurine 26155 by Demdaco Willow Tree is an intimate, personal line of angels, figurines, ornaments and keepsake boxes representing qualities and sentiments that make us feel close to others, heal wounds, or treasure relationships to living things. The name Willow Tree symbolizes that which is gestural, beckoning and romantic. The figures are columnar in design, like a tree, and often carry flora or fauna symbolic of human virtues or qualities. The angels are rendered so as to reveal their expressions through body gestures only a tilt of the head, placement of the hands, a turn of the body. The absence of facial features contributes to the quiet and modest design. Emotions and feelings are left to the viewer to discern, which makes them very personal and powerful. Susan Lordi's inspiration comes from a love of... |
 |
When Friendship Hurts: How to Deal With Friends Who Betray, Abandon, or Wound You by Jan Yager (Author) "HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME?" We've all had friendships that have gone bad. Whether it takes the form of a simple yet inexplicable estrangement or a devastating betrayal, a failed friendship can make your life miserable, threaten your success at work or school, and even undermine your romantic relationships. Finally there is help. In When Friendship Hurts, Jan Yager, recognized internationally as a leading expert on friendship, explores what causes friendships to falter and explains how to mend them -- or end them. In this straightforward, illuminating book filled with dozens of quizzes and real-life examples, Yager covers all the bases, including: The twenty-one types of negative friends -- a rogues' gallery featuring such familiar types as the Blood-sucker, the... |
 |
TWO (2) BRACELET SET - Prayer for a Friend - A Friend is Someone We Turn To When Our Spirits Need a Lift. A Friend is Someone We Treasure For Our Friendship is a Gift. A Friend is Someone Who Fills Our Lives With Beauty, Joy, etc. + Heart Charm ~ Silver Tone Metal by SERENITY CRYSTALS One for you to wear and one for your best friend! Two bracelets, both inscribed with the PRAYER FOR A FRIEND: "A Friend is Someone We Turn To When Our Spirits Need a Lift. A Friend is Someone We Treasure For Our Friendship is a Gift. A Friend is Someone Who Fills Our Lives With Beauty, Joy and Grace. And makes the Whole World We Live in a Better and Happier Place" PLUS attached Heart Charm. Bracelets are made of silver-tone metal.. |
 |
FRIENDSHIP ORNAMENT by Demdaco Friendship Ornament Forever true, forever friends Willow Tree® |
 |
A Smart Girl's Guide to Friendship Troubles by Patti Kelley Criswell (Author), Angela Martini (Illustrator) From backstabbing to bullying to just being left out, here’s advice for girls about a whole host of friendship problems. How do you speak up for yourself when you’re worried about hurting your friend’s feelings? What if your best friend leaves you for the more popular crowd? What do you do when your friend the "rule setter" decides you’re not cool anymore? When- and how- do you get your parents involved without making things worse? Tips, quizzes, and real life stories about girls who’ve solved their friendship problems round out this timely advice book. |
 |
Clearly Charming Friendship, Laughter, Love, Irish Silver & Crystal Expressively Yours Bracelet by Clearly Charming Enjoy the beauty of this silver-plated and crystal Expressively Yours bracelet. The Friendship, Laughter, Love words are on both sides of the silver bead. It is finished off with a heart charm and a toggle clasp. Included with this bracelet is this inspirational saying: A teacher has unique qualities, The gift of wisdom to share, With patience and understanding, To inspire many with special care. The bracelet measures 8 inches. It comes packaged in a beautiful gift box with a ribbonready to give as a gift. |
 |
Willow Tree Angel Of Friendship Figurine 26011 by Demdaco Angel of Friendship For those who share the spirit of friendship Willow Tree® |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |