Testosterone and cortisol jointly modulate risk-taking. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mehta, Pranjal H.; Welker, Keith M.; Zilioli, Samuele; Carré, Justin M.
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 56(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 88
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Testosterone -- Cortisol -- Risk-taking -- Impulsivity -- Traits; Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.02.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Highlights: Testosterone interacts with cortisol to predict risk-taking. These effects were observed in two independent studies (total n = 280). Risk-taking measures included self reports, informant reports, and behavior. Similar effects emerged in males and females. Summary: Recent theories propose that testosterone should be positively related to risk-taking, but empirical support is mixed. Building on the dual-hormone hypothesis, the present research tested whether testosterone's role in risk-taking depends on cortisol. Study 1 ( N = 115) tested this hypothesis in a mixed-sex sample with self and informant reports of risk-taking. Study 2 ( N = 165) tested this hypothesis in a male-only sample with the Balloon Analog Risk Task, a behavioral measure of risk-taking. Across both studies, there was a positive association between basal testosterone and risk-taking among individuals low in basal cortisol but not individuals high in basal cortisol. This pattern emerged in both males and females and across multiple measures of risk-taking (self reports, informant reports, behavior). These studies provide novel empirical support for the claim that testosterone and cortisol jointly regulate risk-taking. Discussion focuses on putative mechanisms as well as implications for real-world risk-taking behaviors.