New Evidence: Testosterone Poisoning Turns People into Assholes

The No Asshole Rule talks about testosterone poisoning as a kind of joke. Apparently, it is a real affliction that turns people into assholes. Here is the lead to the story:

While most people are upset or concerned when someone gives them an angry look, there are others -- with high levels of testosterone -- who actually enjoy angry expressions and seek ways to provoke them, new research suggests.

"It's kind of striking that an angry facial expression is consciously valued as a very negative signal by almost everyone, yet at a non-conscious level can be like a tasty morsel that some people will vigorously work for," study co-author Oliver Schultheiss, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, said in a prepared statement.

Note that this finding appears to hold for both men and women.

Read the rest of the story: Some People Find Angry Expressions Rewarding.

The implication: Perhaps if you want to keep assholes out of your organization, you need to take a blood test (and measure their testosterone levels) and their ARSE Test score!

Comments

[Aric]

No it's true. I work 16 hour days in the oil field doing vigorous labor, one shift of that will change you from a nice person to a cold vindictive asshole.

Increased muscle mass, charisma / charm with opposite sex, positive outlook on life, increased risk taking, increased facial hair growth are just the starting point.

The bad is I'm angry, irritated, and an asshole. Oh well.

[testosterone source]

Very interesting study on testosterone. Although , does that mean professional atheletes like to tick people off? and what about soldiers? lol

[Wally Bock]

Perhaps some of the people who are testosterone junkies have friends who are adrenaline junkies and like getting angry. Sybiotic, eh?