1
|
Shirazi TN, Levenberg K, Cunningham H, Self H, Dawood K, Cárdenas R, Ortiz TL, Carré JM, Breedlove SM, Puts DA. Relationships between ovarian hormone concentrations and mental rotations performance in naturally-cycling women. Horm Behav 2021; 127:104886. [PMID: 33202246 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Circulating gonadal hormones have been linked to variation in the structure and function of the adult human brain, raising the question of how cognition is affected by sex hormones in adulthood. The impacts of progestogens and estrogens are of special interest due to the widespread use of hormone supplementation. Multiple studies have analyzed relationships between ovarian hormones and mental rotation performance, one of the largest known cognitive sex differences; however, results are conflicting. These discrepancies are likely due in part to modest sample sizes and reliance on self-report measures to assess menstrual cycle phase. The present study aimed to clarify the impact of progestogens and estrogens on visuospatial cognition by relating mental rotation task performance to salivary hormone concentrations. Across two studies totaling 528 naturally-cycling premenopausal women, an internal meta-analysis suggested a small, positive effect of within-subjects changes in progesterone on MRT performance (estimate = 0.44, p = 0.014), though this result should be interpreted with caution given multiple statistical analyses. Between-subjects differences and within-subject changes in estradiol did not significantly predict MRT. These results shed light on the potential cognitive effects of endogenous and exogenous hormone action, and the proximate mechanisms modulating spatial cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Talia N Shirazi
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Kate Levenberg
- College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Heather Cunningham
- College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Heather Self
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Khytam Dawood
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Rodrigo Cárdenas
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Triana L Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Nippissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justin M Carré
- Department of Psychology, Nippissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - S Marc Breedlove
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - David A Puts
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hodges-Simeon CR, Grail GPO, Albert G, Landry N, Ortiz TL, Carré JM, McHale TS, Arnocky SA. Testosterone, cortisol, and secretory immunoglobulin-A within a single day and across two sequential days among trans- and cis-gender men. Steroids 2020; 160:108640. [PMID: 32298661 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2020.108640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research on the association between testosterone (T) and immunity has produced conflicting results. OBJECTIVES We address two potential reasons for these empirical inconsistencies in the present research. First, the association between T and immunity may depend on which branch of the immune system is considered. Here, we examine secretory IgA (sIgA), a measure of mucosal immunity functionally related to respiratory infection risk. Second, the association between T and immunity may depend on a third regulatory variable. Therefore, we examine the interaction between T and cortisol (CORT) as well as their independent and combined effects on mucosal immunity. To do this, we explore intra-individual associations between sIgA, CORT, and T within a single day (i.e., morning vs. evening) and across 2 sequential mornings. We target two samples of men: (1) cisgender (i.e., born and identifying as men), and (2) transgender (i.e., born female but identifying as men) undergoing T therapy for gender realignment. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and forty-eight adult men (transgender n = 29) provided saliva samples at three time points: (1) upon waking, (2) before sleep on the same day, and (3) upon waking the following day. Samples were assayed in duplicate for sIgA, T and CORT. RESULTS For cisgender men, sIgA, T, and CORT exhibited clear circadian rhythms and were significantly related within and between samples. For transgender men, evidence for circadian change was found for sIgA and CORT, but not T. Further, sIgA was associated with CORT, but not T. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first evidence that salivary T and sIgA concentrations are associated within a single day and across sequential days for cisgender men. Differences between cis- and transgender men suggest that this may only be true for T levels driven by endogenous production; however, future studies should employ a larger sample size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Graham P O Grail
- Department of Anthropology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Forensic Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Graham Albert
- Department of Anthropology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nicholas Landry
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Triana L Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justin M Carré
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy S McHale
- Department of Anthropology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Anthropology and Museum Studies, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA, United States
| | - Steven A Arnocky
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Knight EL, McShane BB, Kutlikova HH, Morales PJ, Christian CB, Harbaugh WT, Mayr U, Ortiz TL, Gilbert K, Ma-Kellams C, Riečanský I, Watson NV, Eisenegger C, Lamm C, Mehta PH, Carré JM. Weak and Variable Effects of Exogenous Testosterone on Cognitive Reflection Test Performance in Three Experiments: Commentary on Nave, Nadler, Zava, and Camerer (2017). Psychol Sci 2020; 31:890-897. [PMID: 32586198 DOI: 10.1177/0956797619885607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Erik L Knight
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon.,Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University
| | | | - Hana H Kutlikova
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna
| | | | | | | | - Ulrich Mayr
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon
| | | | | | | | - Igor Riečanský
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna.,Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences
| | | | - Christoph Eisenegger
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Claus Lamm
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Pranjal H Mehta
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon.,Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nadler A, Camerer CF, Zava DT, Ortiz TL, Watson NV, Carré JM, Nave G. Does testosterone impair men's cognitive empathy? Evidence from two large-scale randomized controlled trials. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191062. [PMID: 31480979 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The capacity to infer others' mental states (known as 'mind reading' and 'cognitive empathy') is essential for social interactions across species, and its impairment characterizes psychopathological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Previous studies reported that testosterone administration impaired cognitive empathy in healthy humans, and that a putative biomarker of prenatal testosterone exposure (finger digit ratios) moderated the effect. However, empirical support for the relationship has relied on small sample studies with mixed evidence. We investigate the reliability and generalizability of the relationship in two large-scale double-blind placebo-controlled experiments in young men (n = 243 and n = 400), using two different testosterone administration protocols. We find no evidence that cognitive empathy is impaired by testosterone administration or associated with digit ratios. With an unprecedented combined sample size, these results counter current theories and previous high-profile reports, and demonstrate that previous investigations of this topic have been statistically underpowered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Colin F Camerer
- Department of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Boulevard, MC 228-77, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - David T Zava
- ZRT Laboratory, 8605 SW Creekside Place, Beaverton, OR 97008, USA
| | - Triana L Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, 100 College Drive, North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B 8L7
| | - Neil V Watson
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Justin M Carré
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, 100 College Drive, North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B 8L7
| | - Gideon Nave
- Marketing Department, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, 3730 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Geniole SN, Proietti V, Bird BM, Ortiz TL, Bonin PL, Goldfarb B, Watson NV, Carré JM. Testosterone reduces the threat premium in competitive resource division. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190720. [PMID: 31138068 PMCID: PMC6545090 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Like other animals, humans are sensitive to facial cues of threat. Recent evidence suggests that we use this information to dynamically calibrate competitive decision-making over resources, ceding more to high-threat individuals (who appear more willing/able to retaliate) and keeping more from low-threat individuals. Little is known, however, about the biological factors that support such threat assessment and decision-making systems. In a pre-registered, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over testosterone administration study ( n = 118 men), we show for the first time that testosterone reduces the effects of threat on decision-making: participants ceded more resources to high-threat (versus low-threat) individuals (replicating the 'threat premium'), but this effect was blunted by testosterone, which selectively reduced the amount of resources ceded to those highest in threat. Thus, our findings suggest that testosterone influences competitive decision-making by recalibrating the integration of threat into the decision-making process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shawn N. Geniole
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, 100 College Drive, North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B8L7
- Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Valentina Proietti
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, 100 College Drive, North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B8L7
| | - Brian M. Bird
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Triana L. Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, 100 College Drive, North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B8L7
| | - Pierre L. Bonin
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Canada P3E 2C6
| | - Bernard Goldfarb
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Sudbury, Canada P3E 2C6
| | - Neil V. Watson
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Justin M. Carré
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, 100 College Drive, North Bay, Ontario, Canada P1B8L7
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Arnocky S, Proietti V, Ruddick EL, Côté TR, Ortiz TL, Hodson G, Carré JM. Aggression Toward Sexualized Women Is Mediated by Decreased Perceptions of Humanness. Psychol Sci 2019; 30:748-756. [PMID: 30921524 DOI: 10.1177/0956797619836106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers have argued that the regulation of female sexuality is a major catalyst for women's intrasexual aggression. The present research examined whether women behave more aggressively toward a sexualized woman and whether this is explained by lower ratings of the target's humanness. Results showed that women rated another woman lower on uniquely human personality traits when she was dressed in a sexualized (vs. conventional) manner. Lower humanness ratings subsequently predicted increased aggression toward her in a behavioral measure of aggression. This effect was moderated by trait intrasexual competitiveness; lower humanness ratings translated into more aggression, but only for women scoring relatively high on intrasexual competition. Follow-up studies revealed that the effect of sexualized appearance on perceived humanness was not due to the atypicality of the clothing in a university setting. The current project reveals a novel psychological mechanism through which interacting with a sexualized woman promotes aggressive behavior toward her.
Collapse
|
7
|
Geniole SN, Procyshyn TL, Marley N, Ortiz TL, Bird BM, Marcellus AL, Welker KM, Bonin PL, Goldfarb B, Watson NV, Carré JM. Using a Psychopharmacogenetic Approach To Identify the Pathways Through Which—and the People for Whom—Testosterone Promotes Aggression. Psychol Sci 2019; 30:481-494. [DOI: 10.1177/0956797619826970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the neurobiological pathways through which testosterone promotes aggression or about the people in whom this effect is observed. Using a psychopharmacogenetic approach, we found that testosterone increases aggression in men ( N = 308) with select personality profiles and that these effects are further enhanced among those with fewer cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene, a polymorphism associated with increased AR efficiency. Testosterone’s effects were rapid (~30 min after administration) and mediated, in part, by subjective reward associated with aggression. Testosterone thus appears to promote human aggression through an AR-related mechanism and to have stronger effects in men with the select personality profiles because it more strongly upregulates the subjective pleasure they derive from aggression. Given other evidence that testosterone regulates reward through dopaminergic pathways, and that the sensitivity of such pathways is enhanced among individuals with the personality profiles we identified, our findings may also implicate dopaminergic processes in testosterone’s heterogeneous effects on aggression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shawn N. Geniole
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University
- Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Keith M. Welker
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bird BM, Geniole SN, Procyshyn TL, Ortiz TL, Carré JM, Watson NV. Effect of exogenous testosterone on cooperation depends on personality and time pressure. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:538-545. [PMID: 30341408 PMCID: PMC6333794 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0220-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The social heuristic hypothesis posits that human cooperation is an intuitive response that is expressed especially under conditions of time-constraint. Conversely, it proposes that for individuals given an opportunity for reflection, cooperation is more likely to be curtailed by an optimizing process calibrated to maximize individual benefit in a given situation. Notably, the steroid hormone testosterone has also been implicated in intuitive decision-making, including both prosocial and anti-social behaviors, with effects strongest in men with particular dispositional characteristics. This raises the possibility that increased testosterone may augment the effects predicted by the social heuristic hypothesis, particularly among men higher in specific dispositional characteristics (dominance, impulsivity, independent self-construal: high risk for testosterone-induced antisocial behavior). Here, in a testosterone administration study with a relatively large sample of men (N = 400), we test this possibility in a double-blind, placebo-controlled paradigm, with men randomly assigned to play a one-shot public goods game either under time-pressure (forced intuition) or with a time delay (forced reflection). Results revealed that within the placebo group, time-pressure (versus forced delay) increased cooperation among low risk men, but decreased cooperation among high risk men. Testosterone further moderated this pattern by abolishing the time-pressure effect in low risk men and-in high risk men-reversing the effect by selectively reducing offers (compared to placebo) under forced delay. This is the first evidence that testosterone and personality can interact with time-pressure and delay to predict human cooperation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Bird
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Shawn N Geniole
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada
- Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tanya L Procyshyn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Triana L Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Justin M Carré
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada.
| | - Neil V Watson
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Carré JM, Geniole SN, Ortiz TL, Bird BM, Videto A, Bonin PL. Exogenous Testosterone Rapidly Increases Aggressive Behavior in Dominant and Impulsive Men. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 82:249-256. [PMID: 27524498 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although traditional wisdom suggests that baseline levels of testosterone (T) promote aggressive behavior, decades of research have produced findings that have been largely weak and inconsistent. However, more recent experimental work suggests that exogenous administration of T rapidly potentiates amygdala and hypothalamus responses to angry facial expressions. Notably, these brain regions are rich in androgen receptors and play a key role in modulating aggressive behavior in animal models. METHODS The present experiment extends this work by examining whether acutely increasing T potentiates aggressive behavior in men. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-subject design, healthy adult men (n = 121) were administered either T or placebo, and subsequently engaged in a well-validated decision-making game that measures aggressive behavior in response to social provocation. In light of prior correlational research, we also assessed the extent to which T's effects on aggressive behavior would depend on variability in trait dominance and/or trait self-control. RESULTS Exogenous T on its own did not modulate aggressive behavior. However, T's effects on aggression were strongly influenced by variation in trait dominance and trait self-control. Specifically, T caused an increase in aggressive behavior, but only among men scoring relatively high in trait dominance or low in trait self-control. CONCLUSIONS These findings are the first to demonstrate that T can rapidly (within 60 minutes) potentiate aggressive behavior, but only among men with dominant or impulsive personality styles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Carré
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay.
| | | | - Triana L Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay
| | - Brian M Bird
- Department of Psychology, Laurentian University; Sudbury, Canada
| | - Amber Videto
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bird BM, Welling LLM, Ortiz TL, Moreau BJP, Hansen S, Emond M, Goldfarb B, Bonin PL, Carré JM. Effects of exogenous testosterone and mating context on men's preferences for female facial femininity. Horm Behav 2016; 85:76-85. [PMID: 27511452 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Correlational research suggests that men show greater attraction to feminine female faces when their testosterone (T) levels are high. Men's preferences for feminine faces also seem to vary as a function of relationship context (short versus long-term). However, the relationship between T and preferences for female facial femininity has yet to be tested experimentally. In the current paper, we report the results of two experiments examining the causal role of T in modulating preferences for facial femininity across both short and long-term mating contexts. Results of Experiment 1 (within-subject design, n=24) showed that participants significantly preferred feminized versus masculinized versions of women's faces. Further, participants showed a stronger preference for feminine faces in the short versus the long-term context after they received T, but not after they received placebo. Post-hoc analyses suggested that this effect was driven by a lower preference for feminine faces in the long-term context when on T relative to placebo, and this effect was found exclusively for men who received placebo on the first day of testing, and T on the second day of testing (i.e., Order x Drug x Mating context interaction). In Experiment 2 (between-subject design, n=93), men demonstrated a significant preference for feminized female faces in the short versus the long-term context after T, but not after placebo administration. Collectively, these findings provide the first causal evidence that T modulates men's preferences for facial femininity as a function of mating context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Bird
- Department of Psychology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa L M Welling
- Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, United States
| | - Triana L Ortiz
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Steve Hansen
- Physical and Health Education, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Emond
- Department of Psychology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Pierre L Bonin
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justin M Carré
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|