A neurological study commissioned by Geek Squad, the technology support partner of Carphone Warehouse, has discovered the hidden physical and emotional connection men feel for technology. Dubbed ‘the male PMT’, scientists have described how the male's brain activity and sweat levels rocket when their technology is put at risk, despite their assertion to the contrary.
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In subjective reporting of negative emotion associated with losing their mobile phone and smashing their phone screen, the male sample came out as 33% less emotional than their female counterparts. However when their real brain activity was monitored scientists found men fall to pieces when confronted with the possibility of their phone screen smashing. Neurological testing showed that men’s negative emotion associated with this scenario was in fact 70% more acute than females, who consistently coped better in a series of crisis tech scenarios.
Neuropsychologist, Dr. David Lewis, comments, “Research has shown that, especially for men, stress levels rise sharply in any situation where control over events seem to be slipping away. The less control we have the more stressed we become. Losing or damaging one’s mobile phone, given its crucial role in most people’s personal and business life, is clearly associated with a loss of control and consequently high levels of negative emotion and stress. “
Using EEG (electroencephalography), scientists also compared the results to everyday stressful moments of modern life. Neurologically, men are twice as distressed about breaking their mobile as filling in a lengthy tax return; and over 50% more distraught by losing their phone as building flat pack furniture. The emotional scene in Disney’s classic Bambi when the main character loses her mother, came out as just as distressing to men as the prospect of losing their phone.
Dr. Lewis adds, “For many men, the perception of being competent and controlling forms a vital part of their self-image. When both are threatened they can quickly become highly emotional, typically venting their frustration through anger or irritation. Both these emotions lead to the significant increases in mental and physical arousal recorded in this study.”
Geek Squad’s Agent Chris Tufts comments, “We get thousands of distress calls every week from people who are having trouble with their tech, and over 50% of those calls are from men showing signs of distress, or Periodic Mobile Tension. It’s important to keep a clear head and not panic when the worst happens to your mobile.”
Agent Chris Tufts offers his top tips for men to deal with Periodic Mobile Tension:
1) Stay calm
If you lose or break your phone, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Falling to pieces won’t bring your phone back or fix your screen, so try and remember that it’s just a phone and it can always be fixed or replaced.
2) Be prepared
Most cases of PMT can be averted by taking some simple preventative measures. A screen protector is an inexpensive and essential safeguard, which will give you piece of mind.
3) Get a Tracker app
Downloading a tracker app is an easy way to find your phone if it’s lost. There’s a big range of tracker apps out there, including Geek Squad’s Get it Back software that work’s across both Apple and Android platforms.
4) Back-up your data
Aside from the hefty price tag that comes on many smart phones, the most prized parts are stored inside – your personal photos, music and contacts. Back-up your phone regularly and you need never experience that sense of loss when you accidentally drop your phone in your pint.
For help and advice on your tech problems visit www.geeksquad.co.uk to find your nearest Geek Squad Agent and resolve your tech frustration.
Tagged in Stress Technology Mobile