Men and women respond to different humor

Scientists have found clear evidence of gender differences in how humor is perceived.

A Stanford University team monitored the brain activity of men and women when they were watching comics. They found that the brain region involved in processing language, memory and creating feelings of reward more active in women.

This study may help to understand depression in women. It also helps to understand health conditions such as transient paralysis - sudden loss of emotional control.

The lead researcher, Allan Reiss, said: " The results help explain previous studies showing that men and women are different in exploiting and enjoying comedy ."

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for handling language and memory, is still known to play a role in stimulating funny feelings. And the Stanford team has shown a center of reward intermediation - creating positive feelings associated with events such as making money - also triggered by humor.

The study used sophisticated scanners to measure the brain activity of 10 men and 10 women when they looked at 70 black and white comics.

Researchers found similarities in the way men and women responded to humor. But some areas of the brain are activated more in women, including the left prefrontal cortex and the intermediate reward center.

The group argues that it proves that women focus more on the language of humor, by using more analytical mind when decoding jokes. They also believe that women have less expectation of funny stories, so when they are humorous, their pleasure zone is stronger than men.

Professor Reiss said: " Women are less expected to be rewarded, in this case being humorous, so when they see funny stories, they will be more satisfied ."

He also suggested that reward centers in women who are more sensitive to stimulation may explain why they are more susceptible to depression.

MT ( according to BBC )