Hormonal Modifications of Social Behavior

Abstract

The effects of male and female sex-hormone administration on the dominance status of a male-castrate were studied in a food-competition situation. The animal with which the castrate was paired was an intact male of approximately the same size and age as the treated subject. The results showed: (1) That the dominance status of the castrate was enhanced by male sex-hormone therapy. (2) That the castrate assumed subordinate status as a result of the administration of female sexhormone. (3) That well-established habits of social response were acquired by the animals, and tended to persist after cessation of hormone administration. (4) That the persistent habits of response could be modified and eventually reversed by appropriate hormone treatment. The results were discussed in connection with the general problem of social dominance; and several hypotheses as to the nature of the mechanism underlying the effects of sex-hormones on the social interactions of the chimpanzee were considered.

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