For my article analysis earlier this week I found an article that tested testosterone (T) levels in college undergrad. The researchers found that men in relationships had significantly less testosterone in the afternoon than did men who were not in committed relationships. While reading out textbook I saw that "high levels of testosterone are associated with having affairs, while low levels are associated with better parenting." (67) Finally, during Tuesday's class someone asked whether or not Tiger Woods had high levels of T. All of these events made me more interested in the role testosterone plays in motivating peoples everyday lives.
The article I found is called "Tiger and Testosterone: Why T guys are Bad," and in it is discusses how high and low levels of T are associated with how men act. As discussed in the book and in class, T underlies the mating effort, so from an evolutionary perspective, T is a good thing. Moreover, it's quite obvious that men can reproduce more offspring, into a later stage in life, and that is why we have higher levels of T. Many men value heightened levels of T and some desire more; after all, bigger is better. On the other hand, lets be honest, high levels of T motivates many men to make decisions that they end up regretting the next morning. For this reason, many men once they reach an older age are relieved they are no longer motivated by T because they can focus on other things.
The article finishes by discussing Tiger Woods and if he is assumed to have high levels of T. The Dr. interviewed in the article believes that Tiger may have high levels because all of his life he has exerted attributes consistent with that of men who have increased levels of T.
I found all of this quite interesting because it's really hard to tell whether it's best to have high or low levels of T. Most men believe it's best to have more to increase competitiveness in many areas. On the other hand, there are so many negative attributes that appear to go along with high levels of T that there is a strong stereotype against it. After hearing all of this it's pretty obvious that a happy medium would be most beneficial, but it's not like we get to choose what were born with.
I'm really interested to hear what other people think of testosterone. Would you have certain views and opinions about people if you knew they had high or low levels of T? Women, would high or low levels influence your dating habits in any particular direction?
The article I found is called "Tiger and Testosterone: Why T guys are Bad," and in it is discusses how high and low levels of T are associated with how men act. As discussed in the book and in class, T underlies the mating effort, so from an evolutionary perspective, T is a good thing. Moreover, it's quite obvious that men can reproduce more offspring, into a later stage in life, and that is why we have higher levels of T. Many men value heightened levels of T and some desire more; after all, bigger is better. On the other hand, lets be honest, high levels of T motivates many men to make decisions that they end up regretting the next morning. For this reason, many men once they reach an older age are relieved they are no longer motivated by T because they can focus on other things.
The article finishes by discussing Tiger Woods and if he is assumed to have high levels of T. The Dr. interviewed in the article believes that Tiger may have high levels because all of his life he has exerted attributes consistent with that of men who have increased levels of T.
I found all of this quite interesting because it's really hard to tell whether it's best to have high or low levels of T. Most men believe it's best to have more to increase competitiveness in many areas. On the other hand, there are so many negative attributes that appear to go along with high levels of T that there is a strong stereotype against it. After hearing all of this it's pretty obvious that a happy medium would be most beneficial, but it's not like we get to choose what were born with.
I'm really interested to hear what other people think of testosterone. Would you have certain views and opinions about people if you knew they had high or low levels of T? Women, would high or low levels influence your dating habits in any particular direction?
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