A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Low intrasexual competitiveness and decreasing testosterone in human males (Homo sapiens): the adaptive meaning
Authors: Javier I. Borráz-León, Ana Lilia Cerda-Molina, Markus J. Rantala, Lilian Mayagoitia-Novales, Jorge Contreras-Garduño
Publisher: BRILL ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS
Publication year: 2019
Journal: Behaviour
Journal name in source: BEHAVIOUR
Journal acronym: BEHAVIOUR
Volume: 157
Issue: 1
First page : 1
Last page: 15
Number of pages: 15
ISSN: 0005-7959
eISSN: 1568-539X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/1568539X-00003578
Abstract
The development of indirect mechanisms of intrasexual competition (e.g., visual identification of possible rivals) could be related to personality traits such as aggressiveness and self-esteem. However, the study of endocrine changes associated to indirect mechanisms of intrasexual competition is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in testosterone levels after a rival choice test in men and how intrasexual competitiveness, aggressiveness, and self-esteem modulate these changes. A group of 160 healthy men answered four personality questionnaires, participated in a rival choice test, and donated saliva samples to measure the changes in their testosterone levels. We found a significant decrease in testosterone levels of men with lower intrasexual competitiveness, but testosterone levels remained stables in competitive men. Non-significant results were found for aggressiveness and self-esteem. These decreases in testosterone levels could be interpreted as an adaptation aimed to reduce costs in male-male contests in Western modern societies.
The development of indirect mechanisms of intrasexual competition (e.g., visual identification of possible rivals) could be related to personality traits such as aggressiveness and self-esteem. However, the study of endocrine changes associated to indirect mechanisms of intrasexual competition is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in testosterone levels after a rival choice test in men and how intrasexual competitiveness, aggressiveness, and self-esteem modulate these changes. A group of 160 healthy men answered four personality questionnaires, participated in a rival choice test, and donated saliva samples to measure the changes in their testosterone levels. We found a significant decrease in testosterone levels of men with lower intrasexual competitiveness, but testosterone levels remained stables in competitive men. Non-significant results were found for aggressiveness and self-esteem. These decreases in testosterone levels could be interpreted as an adaptation aimed to reduce costs in male-male contests in Western modern societies.
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