The relationship between testosterone and route-learning strategies in humans
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Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1K 3M4. jean.choi@uleth.ca
Abstract:
The relationships between route-learning strategies and circulating testosterone and estradiol levels were investigated in men and women. Testosterone and estradiol concentrations were measured by salivary assays and route-learning strategies were assessed using a direction-giving paradigm based on a novel map. Testosterone was positively correlated with the use of male-biased route-learning strategies in men, but not in women. These findings suggest sex-specific patterns of relationships between circulating testosterone and spatial processing, which apply to everyday spatial behavior.
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