Fascinating article

[justicefire]

in Nature from the week of Jan 21st. We are probably all aware of the concept that testosterone is a drug that makes men aggressive. This was largely established through mice studies a while back. However, many behavioral researchers have questioned this conclusion for quite sometime due to its origins in animal studies. Rather there is an emerging

Comments

anecdotally...

[huskarl]

I tend to be kind of a testosterone factory, but not highly aggressive.

In the case of the placebo it is probably a cultural prejudice.

In the case of the actual hormone it could be that the subjects' visceral awareness of the increased potential for violence has a sobering effect on the conflict.

Similarly, but also anecdotally, I would contend that persons trained in a martial art or other fighting skill tend to get in much fewer fights.

Re: anecdotally...

[justicefire]

I think for the placebo effect it is absolutely about our preconceived notions of testosterone. As for the role of the actual hormone I think it might simply drive those 'under the influence' to resolve the conflict. In cases where aggressive behavior is the most avilable outlet (as in mice who have a limited language) that is what is seen. Since humans have a broader spectrum of responses we can find alternatives when they seem available. The martial arts thing might underscore this... they know that is one possible resolution so now other alternatives can be explored comfortably.

Drew

[burning_purple]

Is this article online somewhere? Sounds like a fascinating read