In utero testosterone exposure influences physiological responses to dyadic interactions in neurotypical adults

• Main Authors: Truzzi, Anna, Senese, Vincenzo Paolo, Setoh, Peipei, Ripoli, Cristian, Esposito, Gianluca
• Other Authors: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: interpersonal relations; physiology
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/83855; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/41494
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Objective: We investigated how different levels of prenatal exposure to testosterone influence physiological reactions to dyadic interactions, hypothesising that higher levels of prenatal testosterone are linked to greater physiological responses. Method: Autonomic nervous system responses to dyadic interactions focussed on social or physical norms were measured. Physiological assessment of excitability (heart rate, facial temperature) and a behavioural assessment (Likert items judgements) were run on 25 neurotypical participants who had distinct testosterone exposure levels in utero. In utero exposure to testosterone was assessed measuring 2D : 4D (ratio between the lengths of the index and the ring fingers). Results: Higher testosterone exposure participants showed greater physiological arousal: a greater heart rate decrease, independent from scenario type (p <0.05), and opposite facial temperature changes in response to social (increase) (vs.) physical scenarios (decrease) were found (Left-cheek: p<0.05; Right-cheek: p< 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest a long-term influence of prenatal environment on adults’ physiological responses during social situations.