Men Would Rather Receive an Electric Shock than Think.
December 18, 2014 4:34 PM   Subscribe

When asked to sit alone in a room, with nothing but a button that administers an electric shock, men will choose to take that shock more often than not.... "When asked to sit alone in a room, with nothing but a button that administers an electric shock, men will choose to take that shock more often than not. Yes, a series of 11 experiments has confirmed that men would rather experience a mild electric current course through their body, than think...." Though the title claims only men are like this, women were in the study too, it's just that the men were a bit more inclined. Every book on meditation says that a person will consistently choose something they dislike or even pain over the burden of not being able to simply be still in their mind. According to the teachings this is why we create drama or watch the Kardashians on TV despite our hatred for the show. Because as much as we say we don't want pain we will seek it out if it distracts us from our incessant mind activities. Those who are able to keep a still mind are at peace and have no need to create drama/pain or DO anything to distract them from their mind activity. Is this study proof that we cause many of our own problems and painful situations in life.
posted by rancher (3 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: This is kind of a thin pop-sci piece for a post; something looking in more detail at the study itself would probably be a better idea if it's worth posting about. In any case, posts to the front page need to not include the poster's personal thoughts or speculation about the subject. -- cortex



 
I wonder how much of the effect was just machismo: "Damn, that hurt. I bet I could do that again. DAMN, that still hurt. Okay, let me see if I can do it again. DAMN, that hurt..."

My evidence: I had a trick pen-zapper thing on my desk for a while, and 80 percent of the guys who got zapped would immediately do it again. About half would hold it down just to show how tough they were.
posted by Etrigan at 4:38 PM on December 18, 2014 [1 favorite]


I suppose this is one reason why I'm not like most guys.
posted by mcstayinskool at 4:42 PM on December 18, 2014


This study may not be conclusive proof of anything, but for the life of me, it sure seems like this is how it works for an awful lot of people.
posted by saulgoodman at 4:42 PM on December 18, 2014


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