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Prejudice and truth about the effect of testosterone on human bargaining behaviour

Author

Listed:
  • C. Eisenegger

    (Institute for Empirical Research in Economics, Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research, University of Zurich)

  • M. Naef

    (Institute for Empirical Research in Economics, Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research, University of Zurich
    Royal Holloway, University of London)

  • R. Snozzi

    (Institute for Empirical Research in Economics, Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research, University of Zurich)

  • M. Heinrichs

    (Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, University of Freiburg)

  • E. Fehr

    (Institute for Empirical Research in Economics, Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research, University of Zurich)

Abstract

Perception-fuelled behaviour Hormones are known to modulate social interactions between animals, with testosterone classically thought to induce aggressive behaviour. Although this categorization has been extrapolated to humans — hence the familiar concept of 'testosterone-fuelled' behaviour — it is unclear whether testosterone does in fact promote antisocial actions. In a bargaining game, a single dose of testosterone was found to increase fair behaviour, reduce conflict and enhance social interactions. But those subjects who were led to believe that they had received testosterone, whether or not they actually had, behaved more unfairly than those who thought they had received placebo, again whether or not they actually did. Thus the negative, antisocial connotation of increasing testosterone seems strong enough to induce negative social behaviour even when the biological result is actually the opposite.

Suggested Citation

  • C. Eisenegger & M. Naef & R. Snozzi & M. Heinrichs & E. Fehr, 2010. "Prejudice and truth about the effect of testosterone on human bargaining behaviour," Nature, Nature, vol. 463(7279), pages 356-359, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:463:y:2010:i:7279:d:10.1038_nature08711
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08711
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