A woman's tears often turn a man's anger into compassion. What makes this happen? A study by Israeli scientists a few years ago found an unexpected reason. They concluded it is not so much the sight of a woman's tears but their smell that has this effect.

In a series of experiments, they found that the pheromone in women's tears dampens men's testosterone levels and reduces activity in the part of the brain responsible for men's sexual arousal.

Another reason men are moved to pity when a woman cries during an argument is that tears flow into the nose and produce a nasal voice, which resembles that of a baby and activates primitive protective instincts. This can paralyze the ability to make cool-headed and rational decisions to some extent.