Although most government and executive positions are taken by men, several studies have found that women might actually be more suited to high pressure decision making. The results of one study show that women make better decisions than men do when they’re under stress.

Although most government and executive positions are taken by men, several studies have found that women might actually be more suited to high pressure decision making.

Both male and female participants in a recent study performed a variety of activities that involved risking a potential reward for a higher gain, compared to ensuring a smaller reward.

During normal conditions, both genders faired equally well in the study, but after being exposed to stress inducing elements, such as putting their hands in icy cold water, men were more likely to take risks and lose more.

No matter what activity took place during the study, the results were similar. Men who were stressed out made riskier decisions.

Experts have identified one of the the factors behind risk taking and decision making behavior under stress as the presence of the hormone cortisol.

Ruud van den Bos, a neurobiologist at Radboud University in the Netherlands who worked on the cortisol study, found that the hormone levels were higher in men who took more risks, but when it came to women, a little bit of cortisol actually benefited their decision making capabilities.