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PSY 357 Testosterone, leadership, and resource acquisition: An evolutionary game theory analysis of the relationship between testosterone and status-seeking
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT
Faculty:
Robert Josephs, Ph.D.
Contact:
Pranj Mehta pmehta@mail.utexas.edu
Description:
In animal species, individuals higher in testosterone typically have higher status and greater access to resources (e.g. mates and food). In this study, we are exploring the relationship between testosterone and status-seeking in humans. We will have two participants come into the lab and play a game for money (fake money, but still!). In each round of the game, participants will make a choice. They can choose to take the riskier choice that allows them to acquire more resources than their partner or the safer choice that allows them to make just as much money or less money than their partner. Participants will play several rounds of the game. We suspect that testosterone levels will determine who strives for more resources than the other, and which pairs of participants acquire more resources overall. These results will help us understand the relationship between testosterone and status-seeking behaviors in humans. Such a link between testosterone and resource acquisition will have wide implications for social and evolutionary psychologists, sociologists, and economists.
Qualifications:
We are looking for hard-working, conscientious, organized individuals who can devote approximately 8-10 hours per week to the lab. You should have a strong interest in social and personality psychology. Preference will be given to individuals who can make a 2 semester commitment to the study, but everyone interested should apply.
Duties:
You will be responsible for independently running experimental sessions on a weekly basis. Other duties include: entering data, coding videos for behavior and personality, conducting literature searches on relevant topics. There is also the potential to present research at psychology conferences.
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