The Endocrinology of Social Success
Susman et al (1985) found that high-for-age sex hormone levels were linked to poor psychosocial outcomes for both adolescent girls and boys. Most studies of hormone effects on social interactions focus on this age group. Kershbaum et al (2006) compared saliva-measured testosterone levels in a group of 42 adolescents, and asked them to fill out evaluations of themselves and each other. Boys with high testosterone levels were considered to be leaders, but not likable, by their peers. Girls with higher testosterone were considered likable, but not leaders.
In adults, the results seem to be similar. Testosterone levels have often been linked to social status and success, but a review by Zitzmann and Nieschlag (2001) cautions against any broad interpretation of these results. In contrast, Cashdan (2003) found that high-estradiol women reported fewer competitive interactions over sports than women with lower levels, but most other competitive interaction measures were tied to androgens. While Cashdan does express different modes of aggression and competitiveness observed in her study (e.g. verbal aggression, overt competitiveness), she does not express whether any group was more or less socially successful as a result.
I'd like to start by recommending the Zitzmann and Nieschlag review to anyone who is interested in the research on testosterone effects. It's very broad and cautious, but it covers a lot of interesting research, and I found it fascinating. Now, on to the anecdotal drivel! I was (like my mother and father) a late bloomer. I didn't reach menarche until I was 15.5 (putting me solidly in the upper 10% of that particular curve), and was still just developing secondary sexual characteristics in college. I felt like this really made my social development difficult in a number of ways, although being a smug little brat probably didn't help, either.
In adults, the results seem to be similar. Testosterone levels have often been linked to social status and success, but a review by Zitzmann and Nieschlag (2001) cautions against any broad interpretation of these results. In contrast, Cashdan (2003) found that high-estradiol women reported fewer competitive interactions over sports than women with lower levels, but most other competitive interaction measures were tied to androgens. While Cashdan does express different modes of aggression and competitiveness observed in her study (e.g. verbal aggression, overt competitiveness), she does not express whether any group was more or less socially successful as a result.
I'd like to start by recommending the Zitzmann and Nieschlag review to anyone who is interested in the research on testosterone effects. It's very broad and cautious, but it covers a lot of interesting research, and I found it fascinating. Now, on to the anecdotal drivel! I was (like my mother and father) a late bloomer. I didn't reach menarche until I was 15.5 (putting me solidly in the upper 10% of that particular curve), and was still just developing secondary sexual characteristics in college. I felt like this really made my social development difficult in a number of ways, although being a smug little brat probably didn't help, either.