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