Studies have shown that men‘s testosterone levels increase after they win a competition, but scientists weren‘t sure the increase resulted from the physical effort it took to win, or just from participants believing they had won. Turns out, it may be the latter.
To find out, researchers took saliva samples from thirty-eight men in their twenties to test their hormone levels, and had them fill out psychological questionnaires asking about their self-esteem and perceived value as a mate. Then the participants competed against one another on rowing machines.
Random Winning, Not Real Winning
The machines were rigged to declare a winner randomly, regardless of who actually rowed better, but the participants didn‘t know that. Afterwards, researchers took saliva samples again, and had participants retake the questionnaires.
They found that testosterone levels increased by 4.92% on average in men who believed they won, and dropped 7.24% in men who thought they lost. The self-perceived winners also thought more highly of their mate value, and reported that they were more likely to approach women.
Thanks to Ben Trumble of Arizona State University for reviewing this episode's script.