Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
11:51
Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
Changes in testosterone mediate the effect of winning on subsequent aggressive behaviour
Justin M Carré1, Jocelyn A Campbell, Elianna Lozoya
1Wayne State University, United States.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|April 17, 2013
Summary
Competition influences testosterone levels and aggression. In men, winning increased testosterone and subsequent aggression, a link not found in women. This suggests testosterone reactivity mediates competition
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Social Psychology
- Human Behaviour
Background:
- Competitive interactions trigger rapid increases in testosterone concentrations.
- Theoretical models propose that neuroendocrine responses mediate future dominance behaviors.
- Evidence linking these models to human social behavior is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between competition, testosterone levels, and aggression in humans.
- To determine if testosterone reactivity to competition mediates aggressive behavior in men and women.
Main Methods:
- Men and women were randomly assigned to experience victories or defeats.
- Aggressive behavior was assessed using a validated behavioral measure post-competition.
- Testosterone concentrations were measured to assess neuroendocrine response.
Main Results:
- Winning elevated testosterone levels compared to losing in men, but not in women.
- Testosterone reactivity to competition significantly mediated the effect of winning on subsequent aggressive behavior in men.
- This mediation effect was not observed in women.
Conclusions:
- Testosterone reactivity plays a role in mediating the link between competitive success and aggression in men.
- The neuroendocrine response to competition and its effect on aggression may differ between sexes.
- Further research is needed to explore potential neural mechanisms and study limitations.
Related Concept Videos
01:47Aggression
Humans engage in aggression when they seek to cause harm or pain to another person. Aggression takes two forms depending on one’s motives: hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is motivated by feelings of anger with intent to cause pain; a fight in a bar with a stranger is an example of hostile aggression. In contrast, instrumental aggression is motivated by achieving a goal and does not necessarily involve intent to cause pain (Berkowitz, 1993); a contract killer who murders for hire...
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...
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...
02:40The Scientific Method
Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.
01:04Social Facilitation
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
01:23Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...