The Interaction of Testosterone and Cortisol Is Associated With Attained Status in Male Executives.
Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000063Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Sherman, Gary D., Jennifer S. Lerner, Robert A. Josephs, Jonathan Renshon, and James J. Gross. 2015. The Interaction of Testosterone and Cortisol Is Associated With Attained Status in Male Executives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.Abstract
Are hormone levels associated with the attainment of social status? Although endogenous testosterone predicts status-seeking social behaviors, research suggests that the stress hormone cortisol may inhibit testosterone’s effects. Thus, individuals with both high testosterone and low cortisol may be especially likely to occupy high-status positions in social hierarchies while individuals with high testosterone and high cortisol may not. We tested this hypothesis by recruiting a sample of real executives and examining testosterone, cortisol, and a concrete indicator of attained status: the number of subordinates over which the executive has authority. Despite the myriad nonhormonal factors that determine organizational promotion, the executives’ endogenous testosterone and cortisol interacted to significantly predict hierarchical position: Testosterone positively predicted executives’ number of subordinates, but only among low-cortisol executives. The results imply that reducing cortisol levels via stress reduction may be a critical goal not only because doing so will improve health but also because doing so may enhance leadership potential.Terms of Use
This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Open Access Policy Articles, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#OAPCitable link to this page
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:22509302
Collections
- HKS Faculty Scholarship [762]
Contact administrator regarding this item (to report mistakes or request changes)