Testosterone and social hierarchies: from neural mechanisms to behavioural outcomes

Abdullah Md Harashid, Khadijah and Che Mohd Nassir, Che Mohd Nasril and Ahmed, Mohamed Ayaaz and Ahmad H.Osman, Rahmah and Jaffer, Usman (2024) Testosterone and social hierarchies: from neural mechanisms to behavioural outcomes. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counselling (IJEPC), 9 (56). pp. 1028-1041. E-ISSN 0128-164X

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Abstract

Testosterone is traditionally linked to aggression and dominance, yet growing evidence indicates that its influence on social behaviouris multifaceted. This review synthesizes key findings on testosterone’s role in shaping both aggressive and prosocial forms of dominance, drawing from animal and human research. Three cornerstone papers—Watanabe and Yamamoto (2015), Terburg and Van Honk (2013), and Johnson et al. (2012)—provide a foundation for understanding how testosterone interacts with multiple neural circuits, notably the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and reward systems. These interactions can diminish inhibitory control while heightening reward sensitivity, thereby encouraging approach-oriented behaviours.However, whether elevated testosterone fosters aggression or prosocial leadership depends on contextual and individual factors, including personality traits and cultural norms. Baseline testosterone levels reliably predict discomfort in low-status positions and a drive toward higher social standing. Nevertheless, testosterone’s effects are shaped by complex interplays with cortisol, vasopressin, dopamine, and serotonin—emphasized by the dual-hormone hypothesis and recent neuroendocrine models. Methodological variations, such as hormone measurement techniques and experimental designs, contribute to conflicting findings in the literature. Recognizing testosterone as a dynamic modulator of social behaviour rather than a unidimensional “aggression hormone” broadens our understanding of human social hierarchies. Future research should employ longitudinal designs, cross-cultural studies, and advanced neuroimaging to unravel how testosterone’s nuanced effects can manifest in aggression, assertiveness, or cooperative leadership. This multi-level approach holds promise for improving theoretical models of social hierarchy and informing practical interventions in domains such as organizational leadership and mental health

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Testosterone, Social Dominance, Aggression, Neural Mechanisms, Prosocial Behaviour, Neuroendocrinology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Arabic Language and Literature Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Psychology
Depositing User:	Dr Usman Jaffer
Date Deposited:	26 Jan 2025 17:31
Last Modified:	26 Jan 2025 17:31
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/118821

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