Testosterone

Question 1

what are hormones?

Answer 1

• biological, innate response
• programmed from birth
• controlled and regulated in the endocrine system in the brain

Question 2

what determines hormone discretion?

Answer 2

pituitary gland

Question 3

where is it located?

Answer 3

base of the hypothalamus

Question 4

what is testosterone?

Answer 4

• mainly male sex hormone
• regulates fertility and manifests itself through asserting dominance over others
• often portraying itself as aggressive behaviour
• promotes male sexual characteristics

Question 5

what is the study?

Answer 5

zak et al (2009)

Question 6

what is the aim?

Answer 6

role of testosterone in prosocial behaviour

Question 7

what is the sample?

Answer 7

25 males

played the ultimate game which consists of deciding whether to donate money or not

Question 8

what is the procedure?

Answer 8

• played ultimatum game
• half men had testosterone in gel form
• half men had placebo
• played ultimatum game again
• those who had testosterone should be less willing to donate money as a way of asserting dominance

Question 9

what are the results?

Answer 9

• 27% less likely to donate money compared to baseline assesment
• results illustrate the hormones’ effect in action because the men who had the testosterone in gel form were less likely to donate their money which allowed them to keep their money and assert a level of dominance over the other players

Question 10

link to question

Answer 10

• men with naturally high testosterone levels may exhibit less prosocial behaviours (such as donating money).
• links to the role of testosterone on behaviour because due to this hormone the men may exhibit more antisocial behaviour like aggression.
• suggests that men who exhibit dominant, intimidating and violent behaviour may not be choosing to behave this way but they may be controlled by testosterone to behave in this way.