title: Winning, losing, mood, and testosterone.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58105.
authors: K D
authors: KD
authors: McCaul
authors: B A
authors: BA
authors: Gladue
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Joppa
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone