Never give up: Testosterone promotes persistence against stronger enemies

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105214

Commentary

Recent research suggests that when people lack a sense of control, they are more prone to motivational failure and early resignation in competitions.

On the other hand, testosterone is thought to increase competitiveness.

This study investigated these interactions and tested testosterone's potential to make people respond to experimentally manipulated perceived control and increase their persistence in competition with stronger opponents.

Healthy participants were given a single dose of testosterone, or placebo. As a condition of participation, they were asked to perform a task designed to induce an initial perceived low or high level of control in a setting of progressively stronger enemies who could quit at any time.

Results showed that men with a low perception of control in the placebo group quit smoking twice as quickly as men with a high perception of control. Testosterone countered this result, making individuals with low perceived control compete as much as those with high perceived control, and participants perceived an advantage in their opponents.

This psychoendocrinological effect was not modulated by basal cortisol levels, CAG repeat polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene, or trait dominance, according to the study.

The researchers provided evidence that testosterone promotes sustained competitiveness in humans. However, this effect depends on the psychological state induced prior to competition, broadening our understanding that there is a complex relationship between testosterone and social behavior.