Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 27, 2025

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
Single dose testosterone administration increases men's facial femininity preference in a Chinese population
Chengyang Han1, Yinhua Zhang1, Xue Lei2
1Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
Abstract:
Sex hormones are thought to influence human mate preferences. Previous studies have reported mixed results regarding the association between men's testosterone levels and their mate preferences. The present study investigated the effect of testosterone administration on men's facial femininity preference. Heterosexual Chinese male participants (n = 140) received a single dose of 150 mg testosterone or placebo gel in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-participant design. Results showed that Chinese men demonstrated general preferences for feminized women's faces, consistent with previous results from the Western population. More importantly, men showed stronger attraction to femininity in women's faces three hours after testosterone administration than at the beginning of the session. In the placebo group, no significant change in facial femininity preferences was found between time points. These results indicate that exogenous testosterone increases men's facial femininity preferences in a Chinese population.
Related Concept Videos
Testosterone: Functions and Regulation
Signs of Puberty
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size....
X-linked Traits
Relationship Formation

