Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
11:51
Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
A review on the relationship between testosterone and life-course persistent antisocial behavior
Bariş O Yildirim1, Jan J L Derksen
1Department of Clinical Psychology, De Kluyskamp 1002, 6545 JD Nijmegen, The Netherlands. onur.yildirim@live.nl
Psychiatry Research
|August 29, 2012
Summary
Testosterone is linked to male antisocial behavior by influencing brain development. Environmental and genetic factors interact with testosterone, affecting whether it leads to antisocial or adaptive traits like leadership.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Antisocial behavior is more common in males, with testosterone suggested as a factor.
- Fetal testosterone measures show inconsistent links to antisocial behavior, unlike circulating testosterone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between testosterone levels and antisocial behavior in males.
- To investigate the neurobiological and environmental factors modulating this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on testosterone, brain development, and antisocial behavior.
- Theoretical modeling of testosterone's influence on neural circuitry and behavior.
Main Results:
- Circulating testosterone consistently correlates with antisocial behavior across development in males.
- Testosterone influences brain regions (mesolimbic, orbitofrontal) and connectivity, impacting reward motivation and emotional regulation.
- Social and genetic factors (e.g., MAOA, 5HTT, social rejection) interact with testosterone's effects.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone's impact on behavior is complex, modulated by environmental and genetic factors.
- High testosterone can predispose to antisocial behavior or adaptive traits (leadership, assertiveness) depending on social context.
- Positive social experiences can promote prosocial outcomes in high-testosterone individuals.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
01:24Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent patterns of disregard for the rights and well-being of others. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder exhibit behaviors that include deceitfulness, impulsivity, irresponsibility, aggression, and a profound lack of empathy. These traits often manifest early in life and persist into adulthood, leading to significant personal, social, and legal consequences.
Behavioral Characteristics and...
Behavioral Characteristics and...
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
02:04Bullying
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
01:26Testosterone: Functions and Regulation
The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...