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‘Believing you’re a winner’ gives men a testosterone boost and promiscuous disposition
University of Cambridge ^ | 8/9/18

Posted on 08/16/2018 5:35:03 PM PDT by LibWhacker

‘Believing you’re a winner’ gives men a testosterone boost and promiscuous disposition

New findings suggest that the male body tries to “optimise” self-perceived improvements in social status through hormonal shifts that promote “short-term mating”.

A new study shows that men only have to believe they’ve bested another man in competition to get raised testosterone levels and an inflated sense of their own value as a sexual prospect.

Scientists found that this hormonal and psychological shift made men more inclined to approach new potential partners.

The research team measured hormone levels, as well as self-perceived attractiveness and confidence in approaching women, in 38 men in their twenties before and after competing in head-to-head battles on rowing machines.

Unbeknownst to participants, the competitions in the study were rigged to randomly declare the winner, regardless of who was the stronger rower.

While previous studies have shown that winning can affect male hormones, it was not known whether this was down to the efforts it takes to win or the belief that one is victorious.

The latest study, led by biological anthropologists from the University of Cambridge and published today in the journal Human Nature, reveals that just being convinced you have won, or indeed lost, is enough to cause male hormonal fluctuations that can influence sexual behaviour.

Researchers say this is an example of “plasticity”: the body adapting quickly – without altering genetic make-up – to suit a change in circumstance. In this case a perceived change in social status, due to the men believing they have defeated a rival.

The body attempts to take advantage of this apparent status improvement by inducing chemical and consequently behavioural changes that promote a “short-term” approach to reproductive success, say the researchers. Namely, more sex with new and different partners.

“Much of evolution consists of trade-offs in energy investment,” said study lead author Dr Danny Longman, from Cambridge’s Department of Archaeology.

“A common trade-off for males both across and within species is between mating strategies. One reproductive approach is short-term, investing time and energy in attracting and pursuing many mates, and fighting off competition. Another approach is long-term, investing energy in raising offspring with a single mate.”

“We found that a perceived shift in social status can cause male physiology to adapt by preparing to shift mating strategies to optimise reproductive success.”

Longman points out that in many animal populations, male social hierarchies correspond with reproductive success, and social status is determined by competition between males.

The study used a simple proxy for social and sexual competition by pitting athletic young men against each other to see who was the most powerful rower.

“Victory in a rowing contest strongly implies the possession of greater physical strength than the opponent, a trait found to be valued by women in our evolutionary past when choosing a mate,” said Longman.

He took saliva samples to test hormone levels before and after the races. A number of psychological questionnaires were also administered, designed to gauge self-esteem, ‘sociosexuality’ (willingness to engage in casual sex), ‘self-perceived mate value’ and mating behaviour (e.g. the likelihood of approaching attractive women). Crucially, Longman and colleagues then manipulated the results of the races.

The men who believed they had won received an average testosterone increase of 4.92%, while those convinced they had lost dropped by an average of 7.24%. Overall, men who thought they were winners had testosterone levels 14.46% higher their deflated opponents.

The men who thought they had lost showed no difference in their perceived value as a mate or confidence approaching women. However, the men who felt like winners had a ‘self-perceived mate value’ that was 6.53% higher, on average, than their rivals, and were 11.29% more likely to approach attractive women in an effort to instigate sexual relations.

“The endocrine system that controls hormones is responsive to situational changes. Previous research has shown that testosterone is lower when men are in a committed relationship, or have children, to promote long-term mating strategies,” said Longman.

“Our results show that both testosterone and its corresponding psychological effects can fluctuate quickly and opportunistically, shifting towards short-term mating in response to a perceived change in status that may increase mating value.”

Male social status has less to do with physical strength in many modern societies, and Longman would be curious to see if similar results arise from intellectual challenges more familiar to the office-based culture many men now inhabit. There is always the issue of free will, however.

“Male physiology may shift to take advantage of certain situations, but ultimately a man’s decisions are up to him.”


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: boost; testosterone; winning
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Tired of winning yet?
1 posted on 08/16/2018 5:35:03 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: LibWhacker

I believe Pajama Boys are whiners and I think this causes their testosterone to drop and girls to avoid them.


2 posted on 08/16/2018 5:42:17 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The MSM is in the business of creating a fake version of reality for political reasons.)
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To: LibWhacker

What does thinking you are a Weiner get you???


3 posted on 08/16/2018 5:43:27 PM PDT by gov_bean_ counter (Ruth Bader Ginsburg doctor is a taxidermist.)
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To: LibWhacker

The corollary is that liberal men are natural losers, so that inflating their beliefs of alleged racism, victimhood, etc. lowers their testosterone even more (and makes them even more frustrated and unhinged).


4 posted on 08/16/2018 5:45:58 PM PDT by rfp1234 (I have already previewed this composition.)
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To: LibWhacker

Lord knows most guys could usea boost. This stupid gynocentric society does everything in it power to put men down and make them believe they are the source of all problems, at every opportunity.


5 posted on 08/16/2018 5:46:51 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: LibWhacker
Some men just naturally think they are winners and exude confidence.


6 posted on 08/16/2018 5:51:00 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: LibWhacker

“Big Daddy is probably a jerk.” —Andy Rooney commenting on the name of a yacht.


7 posted on 08/16/2018 5:51:21 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: LibWhacker

Victory enhances maleness. Then here’s to more victory.


8 posted on 08/16/2018 5:53:02 PM PDT by lurk
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To: LibWhacker

Zuckerman has high testosterone?


9 posted on 08/16/2018 5:57:38 PM PDT by Raycpa
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To: Secret Agent Man
You are correct sir. They don’t want any man to feel like a winner.
10 posted on 08/16/2018 6:01:17 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: LibWhacker

Nope.

Win everyday.

Just gave a copy of
“The Magic of Thinking Big” by Dr David Schwartz to a new salesperson today

As a man thinketh, so is he

Always be optimistic. It will result in a positive mental attitude.

Optimistic belief delivers superior results


11 posted on 08/16/2018 6:03:28 PM PDT by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZGw2M)
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To: LibWhacker

That explains a lot.


12 posted on 08/16/2018 6:11:29 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (President Trump divides Americans . . . from anti-Americans.)
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To: Vendome

“Always be optimistic.”

Yeah right, and there is a pony under that pile of horseshit.


13 posted on 08/16/2018 6:16:46 PM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
Some men need a whalepiece.


14 posted on 08/16/2018 6:29:16 PM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: gov_bean_ counter

Man boobs! You’ve been studying DNC talking points for waaaay too long, and know you are a loser.


15 posted on 08/16/2018 6:32:37 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: LibWhacker

“Scientists found that this hormonal and psychological shift made men more inclined to approach new potential partners.”

Why bother? I haven’t met a libidinous woman in at least 20 years!


16 posted on 08/16/2018 6:33:24 PM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: Secret Agent Man

“Victory in a rowing contest strongly implies the possession of greater physical strength than the opponent, a trait found to be valued by women ...”

I won a rowing contest when I was a lifeguard on Lake Michigan. Didn’t do shit for me.


17 posted on 08/16/2018 6:39:20 PM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: LibWhacker

Wonder how much we paid for this “study” in the obvious?


18 posted on 08/16/2018 7:12:48 PM PDT by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite it's unfashionability)
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To: LibWhacker

well, one thing is for certain: it’s pretty tough to stand tall if one believes oneself to be a loser ...


19 posted on 08/16/2018 7:17:16 PM PDT by catnipman ((Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!))
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To: Some Fat Guy in L.A.

If you don’t pay British taxes, zero.


20 posted on 08/16/2018 7:40:10 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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