The potential role of testosterone as a relationship protection mechanism, activated by threats to one's pair-bond (e.g., devaluation of attractive alternatives)

The potential role of testosterone as a relationship protection mechanism. Stefan Mattias-Maria Goetz, Justin M. Carré. Human Behavior and Evolution Society 31st annual meeting. Boston 2019. http://tiny.cc/aa1w6y

Abstract: Testosterone has oft been described as a mating effort hormonal mechanism, and is generally conceived of as promoting promiscuity. However, the environment can at times favor monogamy. The field of social psychology has long recognized a host of relationship protection mechanisms that are activated by threats to one's pair-bond (e.g., devaluation of attractive alternatives). To the degree that testosterone functions to promote mating effort writ large, we hypothesize that it should sharpen these relationship protection mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, we employed a placebocontrol double blind between subject design in which men either received testosterone (Natesto® ) or placebo (N = ~300) before interacting with an attractive female confederate. About half of the men were already in a committed relationship allowing us to test both the effects of testosterone on mate seeking and its effects on fidelity. Behavioral coding of the videos will be undertaken to ascertain men’s mate seeking behaviors, operationalized as self-presentation, behavioral mimicry, attention fixation, and self-reported interest.