RE: Testosterone Does Not Increase Aggression - The Myth
I read recently that testosterone increases in people who are exposed to aggression, that in relation to aggresion testosterone is an enabler, but not a pure cause.
In monkeys there is often a strict heirarchy, so if you take 5 monkeys that dont know each other and put them in a cage, they will fight until the heirarchy is sorted 1-5, those with the higher testosterone levels being at the top, those with the lower testosterone levels being at the bottom. But if you take monkey 3 (who is in the middle of the group) and inject him with massive amounts of testosterone and put him back with the other 4, he doesnt attack monkeys 1 & 2 who are higher than him, he mercilessly beats monkeys 4 & 5 who are lower than him.
We aim our aggression at those who we feel it is acceptable to put it onto; those who we see as lower than ourselves. This means testosterone does not make us aggressive beyond control, we decide who gets hurt.
Hey.
It is valid example with some apes but humans are much different than other apes. Our social behaviour is much more complex. We are also capable of abstract thinking and have ability to be aware and take control over our emotions.
Yes, I have read the testosterone increase is rather response to hostile environment (to stress, aggression) rather than cause of aggression.
Check that up if you have time.