Testosterone shifts political preferences in weakly affiliated Democratic men, study finds [View all]

A new study has found that administering testosterone to weakly affiliated Democratic men reduced their identification with the Democratic Party and made them feel significantly warmer toward Republican presidential candidates. The hormone had no similar effect on strongly affiliated Democrats or Republicans. These findings suggest that short-term changes in biology can influence political preferences—at least for those who are less firmly attached to their political identity.

The research was published in the journal Brain and Behavior and adds to a growing body of work examining how neuroactive hormones shape human behavior in subtle but measurable ways. In this case, the hormone under investigation was testosterone, which is best known for its role in shaping male traits such as muscle growth and sexual function but also influences behavior through its action in the brain.

The scientists behind the new study had previously found the hormone oxytocin boosted interpersonal trust overall and led Democrats with initially low trust levels to express greater trust in both Democratic and Republican politicians, as well as in the federal government.

They were interested in testosterone because of its wide-ranging effects on decision-making, competition, and social behaviors. Higher testosterone levels have been associated with traits such as risk-taking, dominance, and reduced empathy, all of which may influence how people evaluate political messages and candidates. Past studies have shown that men with higher testosterone tend to be more competitive and less supportive of redistributive policies, which are typically associated with liberal platforms.

https://www.psypost.org/scientists-discover-weak-dems-have-highest-testosterone-but-theres-an-intriguing-twist/