Are you better at whatever than the opposite sex?

Really, are you better?
Probably not—unless you really believe the old stereotype.

In a new study  researchers asked 80 men and women to complete a computerized navigation task, but told only half of the participants that their performance on the task would be used to evaluate gender differences. It turns out those men ended up reaching their destination several seconds faster than the guys who weren’t told anything.

That’s because the subtle reminder triggered whatever prejudices the men may have held about their navigation abilities compared to women—i.e., thinking they were supposed to be better drivers.
However if she spanks you at a 5 - 0 in a game of 9 ball then your bragging days are history.

Being aware of a stereotype that makes your group is superior to another group gives you a boost,. Why? Some  search has found that sexist stereotypes actually cause the male  body to produce more testosterone, which can increase competitive drive and physical performance.

The phenomenon is called the stereotype lift, but there’s a downside, too. “Stereotype threat” is when you believe you’re destined to fail because of some kind of perceived bias, like when talented people choke in high-pressure situations. So you go out and run alone on the beach by yourself to make you feel better.


While you don’t need to re-watch Mad Men  to brush up on Roger Sterling’s outdated modes of male superiority, you’ve probably benefited from a stereotype boost and didn’t even realize it. Here are two more stereotypes that could actually be on your side.


On the SATs
According to the most recent data released by The College Board, which runs the SATs, high school boys outperform girls by five points on the verbal portion and by 34 points on the math section. The notion that boys are better at math than girls—as opposed to actual ability—is believed to contribute to the disparity in achievement.

In the Gym
A 2009 French study found that telling men they should have better balance than women increased how long the guys could stay standing on a balance board. The researchers found that in this case, the stereotype increased guys’ confidence in their abilities, and helped them tap into new found core stability. But most fellahs would rather show their bicept  during a curling exercise. As their abs pop while they sweat.  Not proving the can balance themselves on a balance beam.
This is a quote I always liked by Winston Churchill: If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.
OK all of the above maybe facts that men get a high "T" boost from, but, when we believe it and  when we are asked to stretch  like a ballet dancer we can't or don't want to because even the  thought of a male ballet dancer as be very being very flexible is cool but  we don't want to be that flexible. Women will always keep that edge. Just because men don't want to be compare to  some dude on his toes in tights.

She can make you work harder.
As a driven dude, my target is always to be with the most competitive team possible. Winners always are motivated by the little things, in this case for me it is to be better at something than the opposite sex.

Pump up those Biceps, dude,because she  is catching up, faster than you think.