PSY POST
An experimental study conducted on healthy young men found that applying 150 mg of testosterone gel to their upper arms eliminated their strategic prosocial behavior, which is the tendency to act more prosocially when observed by others. The paper was published in Neuropsychopharmacology.
Prosocial behavior refers to voluntary actions that are intended to benefit or help others, often without direct personal gain. It encompasses a wide range of activities, such as sharing, comforting, rescuing, and cooperating. It is motivated by empathy, moral principles, or a desire to comply with social norms. Prosocial behavior plays a crucial role in fostering positive social interactions, strengthening community bonds, and promoting social harmony. It is considered a fundamental aspect of human social life and is generally encouraged and rewarded in various cultural, educational, and organizational settings.
However, humans often exhibit more prosocial behavior when they are observed by others. This phenomenon, demonstrated across various social behaviors including blood donations and charitable contributions, is known as the audience effect. From an evolutionary perspective, making one’s generosity visible to others is beneficial as it signals that the person is a valuable group member with good qualities as a potential partner.
Study author Hana H. Kutlikova and her colleagues wanted to examine how testosterone affects strategic prosocial behavior. Previous studies indicated that testosterone affects status-seeking behaviors and that it modulates social behaviors through different neural and hormonal pathways. It is possible that testosterone affects strategic prosocial behaviors as well. Additionally, these researchers wanted to know whether testosterone interacts with specific gene variants and whether the behavioral effects of testosterone depend on the levels of cortisol.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, crucial for the development of male reproductive tissues. It also plays a significant role in muscle and bone mass development, hair growth, and overall physical and sexual health in both men and women. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, often referred to as the “stress hormone.” It is released in response to stress and low blood-glucose concentrations.
The study involved 190 healthy adult men, aged 18 to 40, who were recruited via flyers and online advertisements. The researchers collected cell samples from participants’ cheeks to analyze specific gene variations (CAG and DAT1) and saliva samples to measure cortisol levels. Participants were then given a single dose of gel to apply to their upper arms and shoulders. This gel contained either testosterone (Androgel) or a placebo, depending on the study group to which participants were randomly assigned.
After applying the gel, there was a two-hour waiting period, during which participants completed personality and demographic surveys. One hour and fifty minutes post-application, another saliva sample was collected. The experimental task then followed, performed either privately or under observation.
