The “fight-or-flight” response to stress is well known. But human reaction to social stress has a somewhat different dynamic. Women have a “tend-and-befriend” response: an accommodating protective and friendly reaction. Men were long assumed to become aggressive under stress. But that tends to be a last resort, at least for those lacking anger issues. Instead, men also seek social support when stressed.
Source: “Stressed men are more social,” ScienceDaily (21 May 2012).