New Study Uncovers How Testosterone Influences Brain Function, Social Behavior, and Self-Worth in Young Men

Hormones significantly impact human physical functions, behavior, and mental well-being. Testosterone, a primary androgen hormone, plays a crucial role in shaping social cognition and behavior in men. Recent interdisciplinary research conducted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has shed light on the neurocognitive mechanisms by which testosterone affects brain function and social interactions in young men.

Led by Prof. Yin Wu from the Department of Applied Social Sciences, the study involved administering a single dose of testosterone or a placebo gel to healthy young male participants. The researchers then analyzed how these hormonal manipulations influenced various behavioral traits, including generosity, self-esteem, sensitivity to anger, aversion to inequality, prosocial learning, and aggression. The study employed pharmacological approaches combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate neural activity during social decision-making.

One notable finding indicates that higher testosterone levels may reduce generosity, especially toward socially distant others. The fMRI data revealed decreased neural activity in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), a brain region associated with social cognition, following testosterone administration. This suggests that testosterone might diminish concern for others' welfare by dampening the activity in neural circuits responsible for empathy and social understanding, thereby increasing selfishness in economic decisions.

Furthermore, the research explored how testosterone impacts self-esteem. Participants performed social evaluation tasks where they predicted evaluations from others and reported their momentary self-worth (SSE). Results showed that testosterone can enhance the updating of self-esteem and potentially mitigate behaviors linked to low SSE, which are associated with psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. This indicates that a single dose of testosterone might improve social self-perception and reduce maladaptive behaviors, especially in positive social environments.

The findings align with previous studies indicating that hormonal levels influence complex social and emotional behaviors. Prof. Wu emphasized that understanding these neurocognitive mechanisms opens new avenues for clinical applications, such as hormone therapy for social and mental health disorders. Collaborations with scholars from universities including Peking University, Shenzhen University, and the University of Zurich underpin the robustness of this research.

Overall, this research underscores the significant role of testosterone not only in physical and reproductive functions but also in shaping social cognition and emotional regulation. As scientists continue to explore these neurohormonal pathways, the potential for developing targeted therapies and interventions to enhance mental health and social functioning becomes increasingly promising.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-reveals-neurocognitive-testosterone-young-men.html