Studies have shown that high testosterone levels are linked to delinquency and excess in human beings. When in group settings, people's pre-existing characteristics are intensified through means of socialization. Because testosterone is so important in the lives of young men, levels of testosterone may be related tot he kid of groups to which they belong. .
Looking at college fraternities, the authors hypothesized that fraternities with low testosterone levels would be more intellectually oriented and socially responsible than those with high testosterone levels. The authors then proceeded to retrieve saliva samples from twelve fraternities, five from one university and seven from another. Along with saliva samples, the fraternities were also asked to fill out questionnaires asking about the fraternity's current grade point average, its number of parties and community service projects during the past year, and the accolades it received during the past two years, if any. Photographs of the fraternity members were also examined as to whether the poser was smiling or not.
Both universities showed significant mean differences in testosterone levels among the fraternities studied. At both universities there was less smiling in higher testosterone fraternities. At the first university, higher testosterone fraternities were lower in academics and achievement and community service and were less friendly. They also smiled less, had more parties, and were gregarious, but not warm. The second university showed that fraternities with high testosterone levels were boisterous and macho, while fraternities with low testosterone levels were attentive and helpful. In this university, testosterone did not seem to be related to academic achievement or community service.
The authors concluded that while high-testosterone fraternities are rambunctious, low-testosterone fraternities are not necessarily responsible.
