They have shown that testosterone increases their selfishness

2012/02/08 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Osasuna
• Medikuntza
• Anatomia/Fisiologia

Researchers at the University of London have shown that testosterone level in blood influences people's behavior. Specifically, they have seen that it pushes them to play. According to the researchers, the results are useful “to understand the influence of dominant people on group decisions”.

So far, research into understanding biological mechanisms that influence group decisions has focused on the factors driving collaboration. Thus, they have seen that oxytocin hormone increases the tendency to cooperation. They have now shown that testosterone has an opposite effect.

To do this, 17 couples of volunteers, all of them women, have been analyzed. Couples had to do a series of tests, in which most couples played with better results working as a team. However, after a testosterone injection in half, people who received testosterone showed selfish behavior, despite the harm of the couple.

Researchers have clarified that in the research only women have participated, since men themselves have a high level of testosterone, and that if given from outside the body reduces self-production. Therefore, even by injecting testosterone into men, it does not increase the level of hormone in the blood. The study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.