Discuss the role of hormones on behaviour using one or more examples

Hormones are chemical messengers that work in the endocrine system to maintain the efficient
functioning of our body. Unlike neurotransmitters that work between synapses of neurons.
Hormones are released directly into the bloodstream and thus have a slower & more
long-lasting effect. Hormones do not influence behaviour directly; instead, they change the
probability with which a certain behaviour will occur in response to a certain environmental
stimulus by influencing the working of target cells and organs as a result of their interactions
with receptor sites that have complementary structures to the hormone. The production and
secretion of hormones in our body are automatic but can be controlled by steroids and hormone
medication. This response will give a balanced and considered view of hormones and their
effect on behaviour through the studies of Zak et al. 2011 study looking at the role of
testosterone in prosocial behavior, Ronay and von Hippel et al (2010) study looking at the role
of testosterone in risk taking behaviour and a brief on Morhenn to show the influence of oxytocin
which counters the role of testosterone.

Testosterone is the key male sex hormone that regulates fertility, muscle mass, fat distribution
and red blood cell production. Their levels rise during puberty when males begin to show
secondary sexual characteristics e.g. bodily hair, and deepening of the voice. Females produce
testosterone but in much smaller volumes than males. Testosterone has been linked to
behaviours such as aggression and competitiveness. Zak et al. aimed to investigate the
influence of testosterone on prosocial behavior. Twenty-five male participants with a mean age
of 20.8 years, representing various ethnicities including Asian (44%), Caucasian (36%),
Hispanic (8%), and other (12%), took part in a double-blind procedure. The independent
variable consisted of two conditions: half of the participants received testosterone in gel form
(Androgel) while the other half received a placebo. Testosterone levels were monitored via
blood samples during the experiment. The participants engaged in the Ultimate Game (UG), a
decision-making task from economic theory that involves deciding whether to donate money.
The results showed that participants in the Androgel condition, indicating heightened
testosterone levels, donated 27% less money than their initial, pre-experiment baseline
measurements suggested. Additionally, the testosterone group exhibited a greater tendency to
agree to share money compared to their own baseline measurements. This suggests that men
with elevated testosterone levels may demonstrate decreased prosocial behavior when it comes
to monetary decisions.

In conclusion, this study provides evidence that heightened testosterone levels in men may lead
to reduced prosocial behaviour, as indicated by decreased monetary donations. These findings
shed light on the role of testosterone in influencing social behaviours and decision-making
processes. Also on a possible link between heightened testosterone and lack of prosocial
behaviour which could be used to inform therapies for men who may struggle with aggressive or
anti-social behaviour. The use of objective measures such as the blood samples increases the
reliability and scientific nature of the findings. It is difficult to determine the extent of the males’
pre-existing and post-experiment prosocial tendencies as the researchers used a snapshot
design rather than a longitudinal design. Agreeing to donate or share money in an artificial
environment and task such as in this study reduces the ecological validity of the study - would
this be the same result if it were to be tested as a field experiment? Might other variables affect
whether they donate?

As men are justified as greater risk-takers than women, Ronay von hippel et al. (2010)
evaluated this statement as a source of evolutionary pressure to compete with each other for
access to females and sexual selection in general. While testosterone is a hormone that fuels
competition, sexual interest, and dominance, the study also assessed its influence on male
behavior. The aim was to investigate the hypothesis that physical risk-taking by young men
increases in the presence of an attractive female; and that increased risk-taking might be
induced by elevated testosterone.

It is a field experiment with 96 young adult male skateboarders recruited in skateboard parks in
Australia mean age of 22. 43 participants were assigned to a male experimenter condition and
53 were assigned to a female experimenter condition (IVs). The DV: changing levels of
testosterone in response to risk-taking. Testing was conducted between 2:00pm and 6:00 pm to
control for variation in testosterone concentrations. Skateboarders were asked to choose one
easy trick and one difficult trick they had not yet mastered which they attempted 10 times each
while being video-taped by the male or female experimenter (blind to the hypothesis). The
attractiveness of the female was established by 20 independent male raters. Afterwards, saliva
samples were collected at the conclusion of the experiment to monitor testosterone levels. The
results show that participants took greater risks on the difficult tricks in the presence of the
female experimenter. as predicted, testosterone levels were significantly higher among men
who skateboarded in front of the female experimenter.

In conclusion, young men take greater physical risks when in the presence of an attractive
woman and increases in circulating testosterone partially explain this effect. Researchers also
suggest that the prefrontal cortex might play an intermediary role in these processes since the
area is involved in decision-making under risk. Higher levels of testosterone might impair the
functioning of the VMPFC, leading to higher risk-taking behaviour which may have an
evolutionary origin to attracting a beautiful mate. By engaging participants in their natural
skateboarding environment, the study likely captured more authentic responses to risk-taking
behaviours compared to a lab setting. Additionally, the assignment of participants to male and
female experimenter conditions helped lower potential bias, as the experimenters were blind to
the hypothesis, enhancing the credibility of the results. Furthermore, the absence of demand
characteristics strengthens the validity of the findings. However, several limitations should be
considered when interpreting the results. Firstly, the nature of conducting a field experiment
introduces challenges in recording data accurately. Factors such as ambient noise, distractions,
and varied lighting conditions could have influenced the measurements or observations.
Secondly, the lower internal validity of a field experiment raises concerns about the extent to
which the results can be attributed to the experimental manipulation alone, as extraneous
variables in the real-world setting may have influenced the outcomes. Moreover, the lack of
strict control over all variables in the skateboarders' environment could lead to lower reliability
and difficulty in replicating the study's findings. These limitations highlight the trade-offs between
ecological validity and control in field experiments, emphasizing the need for cautious
interpretation and consideration of the study's context.

Additionally, Morhenn et al.'s research on oxytocin provides a contrasting perspective. Morhenn

et al. (2008) aim is to investigate the relationship between oxytocin, massage, and monetary
sacrifice. Oxytocin, often associated with social bonding and trust, was found to increase in
participants who received a massage followed by a trust game. This increase in oxytocin levels
was linked to greater monetary sacrifices in the trust game, demonstrating how this hormone
can promote behaviors that enhance social cooperation and trust.

However, it's important to recognize that hormones do not act in isolation; they interact with one
another and with environmental factors to shape behavior. While these studies provide valuable
insights into the role of hormones, they also highlight the reductionist nature of isolating
hormone effects. Hormones like testosterone and oxytocin can influence diverse behaviours,
and their effects are often intertwined with social, environmental, and psychological factors.
Moreover, the studies also bring attention to the artificial nature of some experimental designs,
such as the controlled environments in the laboratory settings. Real-life behaviors are
influenced by a multitude of factors beyond just hormones, including social norms, upbringing,
and personal experiences. For instance, the Morhenn et al. study's contrasting results with
testosterone studies like Zak et al. and Ronay and von Hippel's highlight the complexity of
hormonal influences on behavior. This complexity suggests that while hormones can provide
valuable insights into behavior, a holistic understanding requires considering a broader array of
factors.

DISCUSS:

EVALUATE:
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