To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Testosterone Linked to Violence in Female Inmates URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/3A046.htm Doctor's Guide September 23, 1997
ATLANTA, GA. -- September 23, 1997 -- Higher testosterone levels are related to criminal violence and aggressive dominance among women in prison, says a Georgia State University study released today. The study, published in the September-October issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, measured testosterone levels in 87 female inmates at a maximum security prison. Their criminal behavior was scored from court records and their prison behavior was assessed from prison records and staff interviews. The researchers found that testosterone levels were related both to the violence of the women's crimes and to the aggressive dominance of their behavior in prison. This finding was further supported by assessing how an inmate's age corresponded to her behavior and testosterone levels. As the hormone level decreased in older prisoners -- testosterone declines with age -- so did the aggressive dominance. But the study concluded testosterone, not age alone, was the significant factor; older inmates who had high hormone levels were not less aggressive or dominant. "The key to this study is it shows testosterone is linked to dominance in both criminal behavior and behavior in prison," said Dr. James Dabbs, a professor of psychology at Georgia State University and lead researcher on the project. The findings, by Dabbs and Marian Hargrove, are similar to those in studies of male prisoners. This indicates testosterone's effects on behavior are the same in women as in men, Dabbs explained. Testosterone levels were highest among male inmates convicted of violent crimes such as rape, homicide and assault. These men also violated more prison rules. An intriguing observation from the study on women was discovered when prison staff members were asked to describe the five inmates who were lowest in testosterone. The three staff members used phrases like "very manipulative" and "sneaky," but all agreed the word "treacherous" best described the women. This doesn't mean having low testosterone is trouble, Dabbs said. However, in a specific population, such as prisoners, this type of negative, underhanded behavior might be expected from those who lack other elements of power such as the aggressive dominance seen in those with high testosterone, he said. The study's findings indicate testosterone plays an important role in the female criminal population, but variables such as age, social factors and other hormones must also be considered, added Dabbs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.