Winning, losing, mood, and testosterone.
In two experiments, male college students either won or lost $5 on a task controlled entirely by chance. In both studies, winners reported a more positive mood change than did losers and, in Experiment 2, winners reported a more positive mood change than a neutral group that did not win or lose money. After the task was completed, winners exhibited significantly higher testosterone levels than losers. Levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress and arousal, did not differ among the groups, suggesting that a hormone-behavior response pattern for winning and losing is specific to testosterone. These data suggest that winning can alter testosterone levels in men and that mood may mediate such changes.
McCaul
K D
KD
Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58105.
Gladue
B A
BA
Joppa
M
M
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone