NationStates Jolt Archive

I’m just testing a theory of one of my friends*….

If you were faced with an enemy, or someone you think might be an enemy, how would you react? What would be your first instinct?

* I’ll explain later, if people are interested. :D

UPDATE: To answer someone's question: the enemy is an individual human being. And the scenario would be something that you could reasonably expect to happen in normal life.

UPDATE 31-01-2005: What this was all about...

Alright, so here's the deal:
Have you ever heard of the "fight or flight" concept? Psychologists say that all animals (including humans) have the natural instinct to fight or flee from an enemy that confronts them.

However, someone told me recently that there is a theory specific to humans: men do the "fight or flight" thing, while women "tend and befriend."

In other words, if a man is faced with an enemy, he will either confront/fight the enemy, or try to stay as far away from the enemy as possible.

If a woman is faced with an enemy, she will keep a close watch on the enemy and even try to befriend the enemy.

(This, if true, may help explain why women can form insanely catty social groups - not saying that all women, and all their friends, are like that, just that it seems to happen more with women than with men.)

The results?

Nothing significant from the poll I posted (based on 72 responses). However, not many women responded, making the data harder to analyze. Also, there may be some issues with the way I phrased the options (not sure if they truly captured the "fight or flight" and "tend and befriend" theory). And of course, posting it on an NS forum is hardly scientific.

Not to mention that psychologists often find a difference in how people respond to hypothetical situations (particularly ones that lack a lot of details) and how people actually behave.

What's the situation? Are there witnesses? Is he armed? Is he alone? I can't say what I'd do without some more information.

Grab the nearest weapon and go after them. Whether it be knife, bamboo pole, gun, or even my fist (thankfully my new limbs are working out for me and I'll be able to walk shortly).


KILL!

I'm NEITHER, so I can't post an opinion on your poll...

Yeah, it's hard to say without more info. Is the enemy a guy in a wheelchair or a guy in a tank? Obviously this is a bit of an exaggeration, but in this situation, I'd decide my course of action based on the estimated strength of my enemy.

I’m just testing a theory of one of my friends*….

If you were faced with an enemy, or someone you think might be an enemy, how would you react? What would be your first instinct?

* I’ll explain later, if people are interested. :D

Put my hand inside my jacket, get a good grip on my pistol, undo the safety, and slightly loosen it from the holster.

All the while keeping my eyes on their hands.

What's the situation? Are there witnesses? Is he armed? Is he alone? I can't say what I'd do without some more information.


You're gonna have to generalize.

(I know, I know, that's like impossible. :( )

If it helps, try imagining a situation you'd encounter on a more regular basis - i.e., you're on a campus and someone purposefully bumps into you, or you're at work and you think someone is trying to undermine you.

I'm NEITHER, so I can't post an opinion on your poll...
So what's the deal? Are you planning to become one? Or do you just plan to stay transgendered? I'm not trying to be offensive, and if it's too personal just tell me to F*ck off.

Keep a distance... The last thing you want is your enemy to know who you are.

You're gonna have to generalize.

(I know, I know, that's like impossible. :( )

If it helps, try imagining a situation you'd encounter on a more regular basis - i.e., you're on a campus and someone purposefully bumps into you, or you're at work and you think someone is trying to undermine you.
I'd react differently in those two situations. I guess fighting is the first thought that crosses my mind, but I try to stay out of trouble nowadays.

I'm NEITHER, so I can't post an opinion on your poll...

Neither? I'm not talking genetically, necessarily... you can choose whatever you most often associate yourself with.

I'd react differently in those two situations. I guess fighting is the first thought that crosses my mind, but I try to stay out of trouble nowadays.

So go with your gut on this one. :)

I'm NEITHER, so I can't post an opinion on your poll...

Spock? Is that you?

So what's the deal? Are you planning to become one? Or do you just plan to stay transgendered? I'm not trying to be offensive, and if it's too personal just tell me to F*ck off.

That's how I was born, why should I be forced to choose?

That's how I was born, why should I be forced to choose?
Hey, I'm not forcing anything. I was just asking. Thanks for the answer.

That's how I was born, why should I be forced to choose?

::shrugs:: You're not forced to choose, you don't have to choose anything.

It's just that human cultures generally place a lot of emphasis on the male/female identities, so I'd be surprised if anybody were able to get through his/her/its life without identifying with one or the other more, that's all.

is this "enemy" an individual, a group, nation? I can't just choose without more specifics!

is this "enemy" an individual, a group, nation? I can't just choose without more specifics!

Alright, alright, let's say the enemy is an individual.

Happy?

:D

What's the point of all this anyway? If it will screw up the experiment or something then don't tell me yet.

What's the point of all this anyway? If it will screw up the experiment or something then don't tell me yet.

My guess is that it'd screw it up. But I definitely will post about it when I think there are enough votes - or when it's clear that nobody else is interested in voting.

Bump

Surely there are more than 5 females (including myself) on this forum?

If you get the chance Prosophia, please TG me regarding the point of this little experiment. Thanks in advance.

If you get the chance Prosophia, please TG me regarding the point of this little experiment. Thanks in advance.

Will do!

Will do!
Just let the cat out of the bag already!!!!!

Umm, act normal and as if we are not enemies, but slowly gathering all the information I can about him, to decide later how I should confront him.

Are you talking about an "enemy" like some guy that wants to beat you up or an "enemy" like if you were a soldier in a war?

If it's like in a war then I would fight my "enemy" but if it's like an "enemy" thats acting naive and wants to fight me I would keep a good eye on him, I would not ingage in a fight unless it was the last resort.
But I don't get in to fights, never have really and hope I will not in the future but I will defend my self no question about it if need be.

Are you talking about an "enemy" like some guy that wants to beat you up or an "enemy" like if you were a soldier in a war?

Not an enemy in an opposing army... more like someone who may be messing with your reputation, or picking on you, or trying to beat you up on the playground.

Not an enemy in an opposing army... more like someone who may be messing with your reputation, or picking on you, or trying to beat you up on the playground.

Thanks,

Like I said,

If it's like an "enemy" thats acting naive and wants to fight me (In a bar, on the street etc.) I would keep a good eye on him, I would not ingage in a fight unless it was the last resort.
But I don't get in to fights, never have really and hope I will not in the future but I will defend my self no question about it if need be.

Just let the cat out of the bag already!!!!!

Patience, my dear...

:D

I'm female, and I chose to 'keep a close watch on my enemy'. Depending on the situation, I'd react differently to an enemy, depending on their intent. Some enemies I would fight, some flee, some avoid, some befriend. But in each case, I'd be keeping an eye on them to determine which of those actions I deemed appropriate.

I'm female, and I chose to 'keep a close watch on my enemy'. Depending on the situation, I'd react differently to an enemy, depending on their intent. Some enemies I would fight, some flee, some avoid, some befriend. But in each case, I'd be keeping an eye on them to determine which of those actions I deemed appropriate.

What kind of enemy would you befriend?

If he does anything tricky you tear his balls of and feed 'em to him.

If its a chick run and hide 'cause they are mean bitches!

What kind of enemy would you befriend?
An enemy that was a cultural or political enemy...one who hated me for these things, not myself. I believe it's possible to make friends out of enemies if you can see beyond politics, race, gender, etc etc...individual to individual...not masses to masses.

Yeah, I'm quite shocked at how many people automatically assumed the "enemy" was somebody dangerous or threatening or intending to attack you. No offence, but I think that's a rather fearful / paranoid way of thinking. Or just too much videogames :p

An enemy that was a cultural or political enemy...one who hated me for these things, not myself. I believe it's possible to make friends out of enemies if you can see beyond politics, race, gender, etc etc...individual to individual...not masses to masses.

Ah, that's true. But I think sometimes people like to befriend their enemies just to keep a closer eye on them!

Someone I just personally despised and thought was up to no good, I'd just keep an eye on. If they were a physical threat, I'd try to avoid. If that weren't possible, I'd react with aggression.

Depends what kind of enemy and what is his intention to harm you?

I'll prefer to keep my distance. Rather than attack. Don't know if he could be armed or has any weapons of mass destruction :D.

I'll usually run unless cornered. Then i'll fight dirty and do everything to win.

Depends what kind of enemy and what is his intention to harm you?

I'll prefer to keep my distance. Rather than attack. Don't know if he could be armed or has any weapons of mass destruction :D.

I'll usually run unless cornered. Then i'll fight dirty and do everything to win.

'Course, if he's got WMDs, you'd have to get really far away. Other side of the world, perhaps?

Yeah, I'm quite shocked at how many people automatically assumed the "enemy" was somebody dangerous or threatening or intending to attack you. No offence, but I think that's a rather fearful / paranoid way of thinking.Hey, I think it's the opposite!

I don't consider anyone my enemy unless they are dangerous or threatening to me. Less hate all around.

Hey, I think it's the opposite!

I don't consider anyone my enemy unless they are dangerous or threatening to me. Less hate all around.

Yeah, good point...

Who is this "enemy" of which you speak, Rulership LOL, who is NOT "dangerous or threatening or intending to attack you"?

Yeah, good point...

Who is this "enemy" of which you speak, Rulership LOL, who is NOT "dangerous or threatening or intending to attack you"? Huhwuzzasilwozzle? :confused:

Lol, just poining something out. Haven't got the big stick out.... yet.

I answered the poll question (male) as "keep a good eye on them" because that's what I do when threatened. It makes sense. Can keep you out of a fight, but means you won't be taken by surprise if they start it.

The closest thing I've had to an "enemy" lately was a big drunk guy in town who came up to me and some mates looking for a fight.

We took the ignore but watch carefully option except for one friend :rolleyes: Managed to get him out before anything started.

'Course, if he's got WMDs, you'd have to get really far away. Other side of the world, perhaps?

Or really, really close. Like, right beside him. Unless he hates you so much that he's willing to die to take you out, he won't use 'em.

Or really, really close. Like, right beside him. Unless he hates you so much that he's willing to die to take you out, he won't use 'em.

I'd be unwilling to bet on that nowadays.

RUN! SAVE YOURSELVES!

bump

Hey, Prosophia, Please TG me with the point of this experiment. I can't stand not knowing. Thanks.

Hey, Prosophia, Please TG me with the point of this experiment. I can't stand not knowing. Thanks.

I'll TG you - or post it to this thread - by the end of this weekend. I promise.

(But I don't promise that it'll be worth the wait! ;) )

last bump.

I swear.

:D

If he's messing around with you walk away get a bat,golf club, or some other blunt object mess his car up and when he starts to freak out about it come from around the corner and give him a few good wacks but not enough to hurt him permenitly.

Stab him or Bite his throat out. Sometimes it helps to have sharp teeth.

I'm more of a close-up combatant meself, but if my enemy was armed with a gun, I'd prefer to keep my distance. Anything else, and I'd be up in his face.

Alright, so here's the deal:
Have you ever heard of the "fight or flight" concept? Psychologists say that all animals (including humans) have the natural instinct to fight or flee from an enemy that confronts them.

However, someone told me recently that there is a theory specific to humans: men do the "fight or flight" thing, while women "tend and befriend."

In other words, if a man is faced with an enemy, he will either confront/fight the enemy, or try to stay as far away from the enemy as possible.

If a woman is faced with an enemy, she will keep a close watch on the enemy and even try to befriend the enemy.

(This, if true, may help explain why women can form insanely catty social groups - not saying that all women, and all their friends, are like that, just that it seems to happen more with women than with men.)

The results?

Nothing significant from the poll I posted (based on 72 responses). However, not many women responded, making the data harder to analyze. Also, there may be some issues with the way I phrased the options (not sure if they truly captured the "fight or flight" and "tend and befriend" theory). And of course, posting it on an NS forum is hardly scientific. :rolleyes:

Not to mention that psychologists often find a difference in how people respond to hypothetical situations (particularly ones that lack a lot of details) and how people actually behave.

Interesting... I'm female, and I chose "stay far away", but I tend to try and befriend them as well... depends on how scary the "enemy" is. :P

Yeah, I'm quite shocked at how many people automatically assumed the "enemy" was somebody dangerous or threatening or intending to attack you. No offence, but I think that's a rather fearful / paranoid way of thinking. Or just too much videogames :p

Just because you are not paranoid does not mean they are not after you....

Nothing wrong with a good ol fight any way.

Interesting. I picked "keep a close watch" - allows me the option of making the attack, but doesn't commit me to it.

Interesting. I picked "keep a close watch" - allows me the option of making the attack, but doesn't commit me to it.

And you'll notice that the majority of people chose the same... I think, were I to do a more scientific study, I would eliminate that option, because it is too general: it doesn't really capture the "tend and befriend" theory.

I tend to have a lot of masculine traits, so I'm not the best female to watch when studying "typical" feminine traits.

I tend to have a lot of masculine traits, so I'm not the best female to watch when studying "typical" feminine traits.

You know, the person who told me about this theory also said that the amount of testosterone in the womb affects aggressiveness, eye contact, and verbal abilities of people. So people who were surrounded by more testosterone would tend to be more aggressive, be less likely to hold eye contact, and have lower verbal abilities - these would generally be males, but it can happen with females too.

I'd probably beat the shit out of him.

If you were faced with an enemy, or someone you think might be an enemy, how would you react? What would be your first instinct?

Keep a close watch.

But if you ask:

If you were faced with an enemy, how would you react? What would be your first instinct?

I'd try to move away. It sounds much more threatening.

Keep a close watch.

But if you ask:

I'd try to move away. It sounds much more threatening.

Alrighty, so clearly I should have just said that it was someone you knew to be an enemy. (It continues to amaze me how the littlest word choices and phrases can totally skew survey results!)

Alrighty, so clearly I should have just said that it was someone you knew to be an enemy. (It continues to amaze me how the littlest word choices and phrases can totally skew survey results!)
That's why surveys (believable) are so hard to make. People understand words differently.

eh... I mean interpret differently.

That's why surveys (believable) are so hard to make. People understand words differently.

eh... I mean interpret differently.

It's true...

There's this famous study that says that men are more upset if their partner has sex with another person, while women are more upset if their partner falls in love with another person.

But it turns out that the results may be due to different interpretations of the word "upset" - men tend to interpret it to mean "angry," whereas women interpret it to mean "sad" or "heartbroken."

Go figure.