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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
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Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
Testosterone and unconscious positive priming increase human motivation separately
1Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508 TC, The Netherlands. h.aarts@uu.nl
Neuroreport
|August 19, 2009
Summary
Testosterone and positive priming both boost unconscious motivation for action in women. However, their effects do not combine, possibly because testosterone maximizes motivational system engagement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Clinical observations suggest testosterone influences unconscious motivation.
- Subliminal positive-priming techniques may also enhance motivation for action.
- Understanding unconscious motivational drivers is crucial for behavioral science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the separate and joint effects of testosterone and subliminal positive priming on motivation.
- To examine how these factors influence unconscious action motivation in healthy females.
Main Methods:
- A placebo-controlled study involving healthy females.
- Administration of sublingual testosterone (0.5 mg) or placebo.
- Subliminal priming with action concepts paired with positive or neutral cues, followed by motivation assessment.
Main Results:
- Both testosterone administration and positive priming significantly increased motivation for action.
- No additive or synergistic effect was observed when testosterone and positive priming were combined.
- Testosterone may saturate the motivational system, preventing further enhancement by priming.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone and positive priming independently enhance unconscious motivation for action.
- The motivational system may have a ceiling effect, limiting combined benefits.
- Testosterone's impact on motivation pathways could explain the lack of joint contribution.
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