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Sex-Role Orientation in Men Is Related to Salivary Testosterone Levels
School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
- 1 School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- 2 Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
- 3 Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- 4 Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science·Volume 03 (2013)·Pages 518–521·Published 11 November 2013·DOI10.4236/jbbs.2013.37054
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Abstract
Previous research has implicated the involvement of androgens in sex-role orientation in males, from studies of 2 nd to 4 th digit ratio (a purported marker of prenatal testosterone). The present pilot study investigates the relationship between salivary testosterone levels and sex-role orientation using Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) scores in adult males. Twenty-one males (aged 18-24) completed the BSRI and provided saliva samples for assay. BSRI Femininity scores were significantly negatively correlated with testosterone levels; the higher the Femininity scores, the lower the testosterone levels. There was no relation of BSRI Masculinity scores with testosterone levels. Our preliminary results add to the research suggesting that sex-role orientation in males may be partially related to underlying hormone levels.
KeywordsTestosteroneAndrogensSex-RoleMasculinityFemininityGenderPersonality
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