I thought that members here might be interested in an article just published in Hormones and Behavior that looks at the impact of testosterone levels in two types of competitive behavior – where there was individual competition and where individuals had to cooperate in groups against other groups. High T enhanced individual competition; low T enhanced group competition, whether the competitors were male or female.

This would reinforce some of the anecdotal evidence from history. Eunuchs should do very well as military officers coordinating group efforts, but not in hand-to-hand combat where they would fight as individuals. There are many historic references to eunuch generals and admirals. The only historical reference that I can find for low-level eunuch military personnel is for phalanxes of Assyrian archers. They would need to cooperate as a group against the enemy and would not be engaged in individual combat. Eunuchs would perform well as cooperating members of an administrative bureaucracy.

When are low testosterone levels advantageous?

The moderating role of individual versus intergroup competition

Pranjal H. Mehta*, Elizabeth V. Wuehrmann, & Robert A. Josephs

Hormones and Behavior 56 (2009) 158–162

ABSTRACT

Although theory suggests that testosterone should facilitate competitive performance, empirical evidence has been mixed. The present study tested the hypothesis that testosterone's effect on competitive performance depends on whether competition is among individuals (individual competition) or among teams (intergroup competition). Sixty participants (50% women) provided saliva samples and were randomly assigned to complete an analytical reasoning test in individual or intergroup competition. Testosterone was positively related to performance in individual competition, but testosterone was negatively related to performance in intergroup competition. There were no sex differences in performance or in the magnitude of testosterone-performance relationships. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that high testosterone individuals are motivated to gain status (good performance in individual competition), whereas low testosterone individuals are motivated to cooperate with others (good performance in intergroup competition). Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

⁎ Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (P.H. Mehta).

This is interesting. We need more eunuch studies; and to facilitate this, society needs to accept voluntary castration. Although there are plenty of low T men out there who could be included; they don't know they have low T because it would be a threat to their "manhood" to actually be tested and know it........so they just take sex enhancing drugs like levitra, etc.

Although not a physical eunuch, as a low-T andropause person, I now know why I work better when I am working on a project or solving a problem with me, myself, and I, than when I try to do it alone.

Does "

JesusA (imported) wrote: Sun May 31, 2009 1:18 pm low testosterone individuals are motivated to cooperate with others...

" mean that they are more submissive than dominating?

nullorchis (imported) wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:37 am This is interesting. We need more eunuch studies; and to facilitate this, society needs to accept voluntary castration. Although there are plenty of low T men out there who could be included; they don't know they have low T because it would be a threat to their "manhood" to actually be tested and know it........so they just take sex enhancing drugs like levitra, etc.

Although not a physical eunuch, as a low-T andropause person, I now know why I work better when I am working on a project or solving a problem with me, myself, and I, than when I try to do it alone.

Does "

JesusA (imported) wrote: Sun May 31, 2009 1:18 pm low testosterone individua

nullorchis (imported) wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:37 am ls are motivated to cooperate with others...

" mean that they are more submissive than dominating?

I know a bit about both ED and Hormone problems and trust me on this. They are two different things. There are plenty of men with low to no hormones that can still get erections. And there are men with all sorts of hormones without any ability to get erect. And some (DAMN) who have both... Not that (cough) "I" would know anything about that..... ;)

JesusA (imported) wrote: Sun May 31, 2009 1:18 pm ABSTRACT

Although theory suggests that testosterone should facilitate competitive performance, empirical evidence has been mixed.

It occurred to me that perhaps testosterone is also a neurotransmitter that, in Freudian terms, shifts the balance of the brain toward the Id and desensitizes it for the more empathic emotions. Hence the stiff upper lip fellow, on losing his testosterone supply, becomes more likely to feel and display tender emotions, like burst into tears on sad occasions.

Does anyone actually know whether or not this is so?

Kortpeel (imported) wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:39 am It occurred to me that perhaps testosterone is also a neurotransmitter that, in Freudian terms, shifts the balance of the brain toward the Id and desensitizes it for the more empathic emotions. Hence the stiff upper lip fellow, on losing his testosterone supply, becomes more likely to feel and display tender emotions, like burst into tears on sad occasions.

Does anyone actually know whether or not this is so?

From personal experience, yes it true for sad movies and when things go wrong. But I love the eunuch calm that comes with it. I have a lot of stressers taking care of people Ie: elderly and some Mental, but there is a calm that comes with low T levels and I love it.

_____________________________________________

Eunuch for over 22 years and loving it.

I hate to disagree to Jesus's statement that "

JesusA (imported) wrote: Sun May 31, 2009 1:18 pm Eunuchs would perform well as cooperating members of an administrative bureaucracy.

" but there is no way that that I could even be part of an administrative bureaucracy, much less be a cooperating member. I'd need part of my brain removed to do that, not my testicles!

There is no reason to suppose that all eunuchs are cooperative and good strategic planners any more than there is to suppose that all intact males will be aggressive and multi-tasking. Observations over the past 4,000 years, however, have demonstrated that there is a statistical likelihood of such being the case. A higher proportion of eunuchs are cooperative and good strategic planners than seems to be true of intact males. The impact of testosterone on the system is still not fully understood – even after all the years of study.

One nice bit of evidence comes from the work of Prof. James McBride Dabbs, a psychologist who has taken a vast number of cheek swabs to check to T and has given the participants in his study a variety of psychological tests. His popular book Heroes, Rogues and Lovers: Testosterone and Behavior (2000, McGraw-Hill) has many examples of behavioral differences with low and high T. He didn’t have any non-T eunuchs in his survey. Or, at least, he didn’t describe their behaviors.

My favorite example from Dabbs is a study of T level and rank in the U.S. Army. The higher the rank, the lower the T. Enlisted men need to be aggressive; generals need to be good strategic planners.

Another of his studies was of T level and occupation. Farmers had the lowest T, something he didn’t try to explain, but white collar professionals had significantly lower T than blue collar workers. Managers had the lowest T of all occupations other than farming.

Another of his interesting studies had a series of men smile for the camera. Dabbs then had his students sort the photos in a series from “friendliest” to “least friendly” smile. The results correlated directly with T level. The friendliest smiles came from those with the lowest T.

Jesus, I'm not surprised that farmers may have lower T than other professional groups.

First and foremost their job is connecting with the natural world all the time and to its seasons. They need to be supportive when working with animals and they are generally working in an environment where they work alone or with few other contacts. Their job is stressful and highly exposed to danger from equipment and chemicals but anyone choosing this profession is unlikely to want to be destructive or want to generate high octave testosterone in their work. Whilst it is a profession which is chiefly masculine, the empathy needed to desire contact with plants, crops and animals is a creative one and therefore more gender neuter than some other professions such as politics and banking. We all have seen the outcome of high octane testosterone in the workplace, it has almost destroyed the wealth and safety of our countries and world. Farmers will contain amongst there group many more males with a sympathetic and calming outlook. It's just a tragedy that it also has one of the highest suicide rates due to people internalising their stresses (usually financial) to vulnerable low perspectives.

Interesting and thanks for starting this Jesus as I am a eunuch and I love the way I am today. I used to have a very short fuse and any one around me could be in trouble if I was crossed. Today I can concentrate on things I need to get done and have more fun doing it because I do not get upset as often. As for sex I really do not care any more so yes I have more time for getting things done.

OOOOOO yea can I say my wife now trusts me with other women now and I kind of like this as I do have a lot of women who are my dear friends now. And last as a christian I have the time to love the Lord who has made me and been with me all my life and with all my foot steps

On low T I am much more emotional and calmer and more considerate. I am allso much more submissive and work better with others. I like the low T me much better than the other me. If more men could experience life without T they would never go back. Now I look at the person and it does not mater what sex.