Jm. Dabbs et al., TESTOSTERONE DIFFERENCES AMONG COLLEGE FRATERNITIES - WELL-BEHAVED VSRAMBUNCTIOUS, Personality and individual differences, 20(2), 1996, pp. 157-161
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.