Cheating on your other half or committing fraud could be all down to your hormones, according to a new study.
The research, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, looked at how our bodies can react and respond to stress – examining the theory that our bodies produce more testosterone to regulate and balance the effects of the stress hormone cortisol when under pressure.
In a social experiment, researchers at Harvard University and the University of Texas, Austin asked a group to take a maths test, self-reporting their correct answers.
The subjects were also told that the more answers that they got correct, the higher their monetary reward would be.
Samples of saliva were taken both before and after the test was administered, and those with higher levels of testosterone overstated how many answers they had gotten right.
Comparing their results with their hypothesis, scientists at Harvard University and University of Texas, Austin found that those with high levels of the two hormones are more likely to engage in a dishonest activity such as fraud, or cheating on their other half.
Explaining their results, Dr Robert Josephs from the University of Texas at Austin said:
“Elevated testosterone decreases the fear of punishment while increasing sensitivity to reward. Elevated cortisol is linked to an uncomfortable state of chronic stress that can be extremely debilitating… Testosterone furnishes the courage to cheat, and elevated cortisol provides a reason to cheat.”
So the saying “I just couldn’t help myself,” suddenly takes on a whole new meaning…
