TESTOSTERONE DIFFERENCES AMONG COLLEGE FRATERNITIES - WELL-BEHAVED VSRAMBUNCTIOUS

Salivary testosterone levels were assayed among 240 members of 12 frat ernities at two universities. Descriptions of the fraternities were ob tained from university officials, fraternity officers, yearbook and ch apter house photographs, and researchers' field notes. At the first un iversity, high testosterone fraternities were more rambunctious, and l ow testosterone fraternities were more academically successful and soc ially responsible. Al the second university, the highest testosterone fraternity was outstanding in the crudeness of its behavior. At both u niversities, members of lower testosterone fraternities smiled more. L ower testosterone groups were more friendly and pleasant, and higher t estosterone groups more wild and unruly. The underlying behavioral dim ension may be characterized as well-behaved vs rambunctious. Whether l ow testosterone groups are considerate to the point of altruism, and h igh testosterone groups inconsiderate to the point of callousness, dep ends upon other factors.