The role of hormones and social roles in the expression­ of a sex-specif­ic behavioral­ trait

Where: International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology When: 25th July 2009

Title: The role of hormones and social roles in the expression of a sex-specific behavioral trait.
Background: In humans, sensation-seeking (SS) is a stereotypically male trait. This sexually differentiated trait may be related to different sex hormone production in men and women. For example, testosterone, produced more by men than women, is also associated with increased sensation seeking in men, but not in women. Differences may also, however, be a product of socialization. Gender, as opposed to sex, is a concept constructed from social learning, expectations, and identity presentation. In American culture, SS is more encouraged in men than in women, starting from birth. This differential treatment may mediate the hormonal influences on sensation-seeking behavior. The goal of the current study was to determine the relative role of hormones, SS, and gender role adherence in women’s sensation-seeking behavior.

Methods: We collected surveys and saliva samples from 138 undergraduate women ages 18-22. Surveys included the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Zuckerman Sensation-Seeking Scale V (SSS-V). To measure basal sex hormones, participants provided saliva samples by passive drool 30-min after waking (before brushing teeth), and in the evening. Salivary testosterone, estradiol, and androstenedione were measured in participants with the best sample collection compliance (n=37).

Results: Among women who were not using hormonal contraceptives (HC), estradiol predicted higher Experience Seeking on the SSS-V. Femininity predicted lower Experience Seeking (ES), Disinhibition (Dis), and Boredom Susceptibility (BS), while Masculinity predicted higher Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS). High Masculinity scores on the BSRI predicted lower androstenedione and higher SS, but androstenedione by itself did not predict SS. Among women who were using HC, Masculinity was positively correlated with ES and Dis. Women taking hormonal contraceptives were significantly higher in TAS, ES, and Femininity than women who were not.

Conclusions: Gender roles are another variable that must be considered when investigating the relationship between hormones and SS. Further, given significantly different profiles between women using and not using hormonal contraceptives, we suggest that women on hormonal contraceptives should be included in research and analyzed separately.

Keywords: gender role, sex hormones, hormonal contraception, sensation-seeking, women, androstenedione

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