Don't Be Deceived: Testosterone Decreases Trust

A single dose of testosterone decreases trust in the naive.

The hormone oxytocin appears to increase trust, but trusting too much may be problematic and could lead to being deceived. Testosterone, associated with social dominance and competitiveness, may inhibit trust. These authors investigated the effects on trust of a single sublingual dose of testosterone (0.5 mg) or placebo in 24 women. Trust level was assessed through participants' evaluations of facial trustworthiness in 150 pictures of unfamiliar faces with neutral expressions. The analog scale ranged from “very trustworthy” to “very untrustworthy.” After 3 days, participants were crossed over to the other agent.

Trust levels were significantly lower after testosterone administration than after placebo. Researchers then divided participants a…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience