Story perspectives

Testosterone Boosts Self-Preservation, Lowers Prosocial Learning

10/30/2025

40 7

Summary

Story summary

A study published in Biological Psychology shows a single dose of testosterone alters harm-avoidance learning in men.
Researchers report testosterone increases personal-harm sensitivity and changes prosocial behavior.
In a double-blind trial with 120 male participants, testosterone led to more learning from personal negatives and less harm avoidance for others than placebo.
The study suggests testosterone enhances self-preservation but may reduce prosocial learning and urges further research on social implications.

1 of 1

Story summary

A study published in Biological Psychology shows a single dose of testosterone alters harm-avoidance learning in men.
Researchers report testosterone increases personal-harm sensitivity and changes prosocial behavior.
In a double-blind trial with 120 male participants, testosterone led to more learning from personal negatives and less harm avoidance for others than placebo.
The study suggests testosterone enhances self-preservation but may reduce prosocial learning and urges further research on social implications.