Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Contact with attractive women affects the release of cortisol in men
Leander van der Meij1, Abraham P Buunk, Alicia Salvador
1Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Social Neuroscience, University of Valencia, Spain. L.van.der.Meij@rug.nl
Abstract:
Previous studies have shown that situations relevant for human mating can affect the levels of many hormones. This study focused on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis by measuring salivary cortisol levels in 84 young men prior to and after a period of short social contact with a woman or man. Results showed that after contact with another man the cortisol levels of the participants declined according to the circadian release pattern of cortisol. However, cortisol levels in men declined less when they had contact with a woman. Furthermore, cortisol levels of men increased when they perceived the woman with whom they had contact as attractive. Our findings provide indirect evidence for the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in human courtship. During social contact with attractive women, moderate increases in cortisol levels may reflect apprehension over an opportunity for courtship.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
Hormones of the Adrenal Glands
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Relationship Formation
Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...

