Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekmdp!dadla!dadla-b!hutch
From: hutch@dadla-b.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: innate passiveness?
Message-ID: <498@dadla-b.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Jul-83 14:21:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: dadla-b.498
Posted: Fri Jul 22 14:21:07 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Jul-83 17:39:43 EDT
References: umcp-cs.973
Lines: 22

Regarrding agressiveness in behaviour:

The case of the rare genetic disorder quoted recently doesn't prove anything.
The cultural conditioning in the Phillipines has men being very macho and
aggressive, and the sudden "transformation" of the subjects into males would
probably cause them to act like males.  In addition, the increases in hormone
levels would be more severe than for the usual puberty.

Informal and formal studies done on bodybuilders and strength athletes have
shown a more reliable indicator with regards to this.

Subjects (male and female) using large amounts of anabolic steroids in order
to aid in gaining and maintaining muscle mass, have also undergone severe
shifts in personality, with agressiveness noticeably increased.

The amount
taken pushes male hormone levels to more than twice the difference between
men and women.  When the dosages are closer to the norms, the data shows
an inconclusive relationship between agressive behaviour and hormone use,
and the indications are that the major effects are placebo.

Steve Hutchison