Sex-Role Orientation in Men Is Related to Salivary Testosterone Levels

Miriam J. Law Smith, Denis K. Deady, Martin A. Sharp, Emad A. S. Al-Dujaili

Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.
Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK.
School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.

DOI: 10.4236/jbbs.2013.37054                

Abstract

Previous research has implicated the involvement of androgens in sex-role orientation in males, from studies of 2^nd to 4^th digit ratio (a purported marker of prenatal testosterone). The present pilot study investigates the relationship between salivary testosterone levels and sex-role orientation using Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) scores in adult males. Twenty-one males (aged 18-24) completed the BSRI and provided saliva samples for assay. BSRI Femininity scores were significantly negatively correlated with testosterone levels; the higher the Femininity scores, the lower the testosterone levels. There was no relation of BSRI Masculinity scores with testosterone levels. Our preliminary results add to the research suggesting that sex-role orientation in males may be partially related to underlying hormone levels.

Keywords

Testosterone; Androgens; Sex-Role; Masculinity; Femininity; Gender; Personality

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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