BBC show about the anthropological development of humans & the body

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BBC show about the anthropological development of humans & the body

Called Origins of Us. have you seen it?

For the most part, it has been really good, but the last part I wanted your take on, given all our discussions. The last bit is a discussion of risk taking in men. "studies are showing that men's willingness to take a risk goes up when (attractive) women are around." They of course do not cite the study, but here's what they give as details...

Young adult males (16-20) were shown a new and very difficult skateboard technique. The researchers tested how often each male would attempt the new trick, and how often they would "safe out" so they didn't fall. Each person of course makes his own choice on how often to try. Each male was rated uniquely. Then these same 30 skaters were given a new trick, same situation, except this time there was an audience of young women. Each male's rate went up 40% or more when a (young) woman came in. Control groups were done with a male audience, an audience of children, and an audience of mixed adults. (they risk went up anytime an audience was present, but by under 10%). Testosterone levels were taken in each case, and they went up roughly equivalent to the rate of increase of risk taking.

anything here? or a weak study? from your first gut reaction.

Pink mowse.pngGodotEn live19:00, 30 December 2011

Haven't seen it, but it sounds in line with much of what I've read. Though I don't put a whole lot of stock in testosterone sampling -- I'm guessing they were salival samples and they weren't out there giving spinal taps to skateboarders. Testosterone is the precursor to a number of neurotransmitters and the most reliable way to test for it in the brain is by lumbar puncture, but that's obviously not an option in many cases.

Nebuchadnezzar (talk)21:33, 30 December 2011

They were skater dudes, and as such, I think they should have had to endure their backs being poked. :-)

Pink mowse.pngGodotEn live21:48, 30 December 2011

I hope you have a lot of skater dude friends.

Nebuchadnezzar (talk)22:03, 30 December 2011

Both my nephews LOOK like skater dudes. but i suspect that has more to do with the way 18 year old boys dress today than anything else.

Though they both snowboard, is that the same?

(I not only have fallen down on the job, but i can't get up by the way)

Pink mowse.pngGodotEn live23:38, 30 December 2011

Snowboarding is much different -- though I guess it would be similar to longboarding, but not regular skateboarding.

Nebuchadnezzar (talk)23:41, 30 December 2011

Skateboarding was all the rage when I was 8 or so. If i wasn't a chicken, i'd have been good. ;-)

Now, i'm the old man with the lawn, cept it's my "sleep in". "Damn it you kids, stop skating out there in front of my window. It's not even 10 am yet". ;-)

Pink mowse.pngGodotEn live23:47, 30 December 2011