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Testosterone, cortisol, and human competition.

Kathleen V Casto1, David A Edwards1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.

Hormones and Behavior
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PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Competition influences testosterone and cortisol levels, especially in athletics. Individual and situational factors affect these hormone responses, with the dual-hormone hypothesis offering new insights into status striving.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Testosterone and cortisol are key hormones studied in human competition.
  • Athletic competition typically elevates testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) in both sexes.
  • Hormonal responses to non-athletic competition are more variable.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the history of research on testosterone and cortisol in competition.
  • To examine major theoretical and empirical contributions.
  • To identify unresolved issues in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on theoretical and empirical studies.
  • Analysis of factors influencing hormone responses to competition.
  • Discussion of the dual-hormone hypothesis.

Main Results:

  • Competition, particularly athletic, is linked to increased testosterone and cortisol.
  • Individual (e.g., personality, baseline hormones) and contextual (e.g., outcome, perceived control) factors modulate hormone responses.
  • The dual-hormone hypothesis suggests testosterone's link to dominance striving is moderated by cortisol levels.

Conclusions:

  • Hormonal responses to competition are complex and influenced by multiple factors.
  • The dual-hormone hypothesis provides a framework for understanding testosterone and competition, with broad applications yet to be explored.
  • Future research should address the psychological benefits of hormonal changes and explore the hormonal correlates of competitiveness.