New evidence on testosterone and cooperation

Jack van Honk (), Estrella R. Montoya, Peter A. Bos, Mark van Vugt and David Terburg
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Jack van Honk: Utrecht University, 3584CS Utrecht, Netherlands
Estrella R. Montoya: Utrecht University, 3584CS Utrecht, Netherlands
Peter A. Bos: Utrecht University, 3584CS Utrecht, Netherlands
Mark van Vugt: VU University, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands
David Terburg: Utrecht University, 3584CS Utrecht, Netherlands

Nature, 2012, vol. 485, issue 7399, E4-E5

Abstract: Abstract arising from C. Eisenegger, M. Naef, R. Snozzi, M. Heinrichs & E. Fehr Nature 463, 356–359 (2010)10.1038/nature08711 ; Eisenegger et al. reply In February 2010, Eisenegger et al. reported increased fair bargaining behaviour after administration of testosterone in an ultimatum game1. However, unfair offers in the ultimatum game typically are rejected; thus, not only the motives for social cooperation but also the threat of financial punishment may have accounted for these effects. Here, using the public goods game (PGG), we unambiguously show increased social cooperation after testosterone administration, but only among subjects with low levels of prenatal testosterone (measured by the right hand’s second-to-fourth-digit ratio (2D:4D)). This finding establishes positive effects of testosterone on social cooperation, with prenatal hormonal priming providing for important individual variability.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/nature11136

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