Testosterone and Social Behavior

Popular perceptions of the effect of testosterone on “manly” behavior are inaccurate. We need to move away from such simplistic notions by treating testosterone as one component along with other physiological, psychological and sociological variables in interactive and reciprocal models of behavior. Several hormones can now be measured in saliva, removing the need for blood samples. Conceptual shifts have moved research from biological determinism to biosocial models in which the social environment plays a key role in understanding behavior-hormones associations. As a result, more social scientists are incorporating testosterone in their studies. Following a primer on testosterone, we describe testosterone’s link to (a) gaining, maintaining and losing social status, (b) aggression and antisocial behavior, (c) peer and family relationships, and (d) gender similarities and differences. Research needed to take us to the next level of understanding is outlined. “Testosterone poisoning,” now part of the language, is a popular explanation for excessive “manly” behaviors such as boasting, violence and pugnaciousness. Middle-aged and older men think sagging libido and fatigue stem from their declining testosterone. In fact, there is little empirical support for these popular assertions. We cannot say that they are all false because research literature is not conclusive. But it is already clear that there is no simple one-to-one relationship between testosterone and machoism or aggressiveness or sexuality (Mazur and Booth 1998). It seems wiser to view testosterone as one component in a confluence of interacting physiological, psychological and social influences that affect behavior. The focus of this research is variables of interest to sociologists. Gaining, maintaining and losing status is a theme found in a great deal of sociological research. Many testosterone studies have focused on status change under the rubric of competition. Sociologists who focus on deviance and social integration will be interested in testosterone studies that focus on problem behavior, and the nature and quality of peer and family relations. Those who work in the area of health and social behavior will find studies of testosterone’s link to depression. Those who study gendered behavior will be interested in the differences and symmetries in the links between testosterone and social behavior for males and females. Finally, sociologists will be interested to learn that the social environment has a key role in defining testosterone-behavioral links. This article is dedicated to the memory of James M. Dabbs, a pioneer in the fi eld of testosterone research who greatly enriched our knowledge methodologically and substantively. Direct correspondence to Alan Booth, Department of Sociology, 211 Oswald Tower, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, 814-863-1141. E-mail: AXB24@