Explain the effect of one hormone on human behavior with reference to one study.

Question 1

A hormone that influences human behavior

Answer 1

A hormone that influences human behavior is testosterone. Testosterone is the male hormone and plays a main role in the development of a male during the years of puberty. Elevated levels of testosterone are seen in alpha male baboons and are also linked to competitive behavior.

Question 2

a study that looked into testosterone

Answer 2

In a study by Ronay and Hippel, it was shown that testosterone may also play a role in risk-taking behavior. The study was a counter-balanced repeated measures design. They wanted to see if a young man’s testosterone level played a role in higher risk-taking behavior. The behavior they were measuring was the risks taken while skateboarding.

Question 3

procedure of Ronay and Hippel

Answer 3

The researchers asked the men to first carry out 10 easy tasks and then 10 difficult tricks. The first sample of young adult males carried out skateboarding tricks in front of a male researcher whereas the second group carried out the tricks in front of a beautiful young woman. Their tricks were filmed. After the completion of the tasks, the participants gave a saliva sample to measure the level of testosterone.

Question 4

Results of Ronay and Hippel

Answer 4

The researchers found that when the men performed for the male researcher, they were more likely to abort the difficult tricks; if they were performing in front of the woman, they were more likely not to abort, often resulting in an accident. They also found that the level of testosterone was highest in the group that was performing in front of the woman. Therefore, they could conclude that the level of arousal from simply skateboarding was not enough to raise their testosterone levels.

Question 5

Conclusion of Ronay and Hippel

Answer 5

The researchers argued that testosterone affects the functioning of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex which is responsible for decision-making. The higher level of testosterone may impair the functioning of the vmpfc leading to higher risk-taking behavior which may have an evolutionary origin to attract a beautiful mate.