Opposing Roles of Testosterone and Cortisol in Prosocial Risk-Taking

Area of Science:

• Neuroendocrinology
• Behavioral Economics
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Prosocial risk-taking involves altruistic acts with potential personal costs.
• Testosterone, a steroid hormone, is linked to status-seeking behaviors.
• The dual-hormone hypothesis suggests testosterone's effect on behavior is moderated by cortisol.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between testosterone levels and prosocial risk-taking.
• To test the moderating role of cortisol on the testosterone-prosocial risk-taking relationship.

Main Methods:

• An adapted probabilistic gambling task was used, featuring a prosocial condition where benefits went to charity.
• Endogenous testosterone and cortisol levels were measured.
• Participants' risk-taking behavior for personal gain and for charitable causes was assessed.

Main Results:

• Endogenous testosterone levels positively correlated with risk-taking for personal gain, replicating prior research.
• A positive association was found between endogenous testosterone levels and prosocial risk-taking.
• Cortisol did not moderate the testosterone-prosocial risk-taking relationship; instead, elevated cortisol independently suppressed prosocial risk-taking.

Conclusions:

• Basal testosterone levels are positively associated with prosocial risk-taking.
• Cortisol plays an independent suppressive role in prosocial risk-taking.
• The dual-hormone hypothesis was not supported in this context of prosocial risk-taking.