Hormonal Organization of Sex Differences in Play Fighting and Spatial Behavior
January 1984
in “
Progress in brain research
”
TLDR Gonadal hormones may influence sex differences in play fighting in animals, but their effect on human spatial behavior is unclear and needs more research.
The chapter discussed the influence of gonadal hormones on sex differences in play fighting and spatial behavior across various mammalian species, including humans. It highlighted that play fighting exhibited sexual dimorphism in many species, but there was no conclusive evidence linking gonadal hormones to sex differences in human spatial behavior. However, perinatal exposure to androgens might play a role. Human studies often involved small samples due to the use of patients with endocrine anomalies, necessitating larger samples and careful consideration of task and age variables to detect hormonal influences. Further research with adult humans in spatial tasks similar to those used in animal studies was recommended to validate animal models of sex differences.
