Changes in testosterone level in 16-year-old boys in response to experimentally induced jealousy reaction

Past research suggests association between basal steroid hormone testosterone level and its changes with some individual characteristics (especially some behavioral manifestations of dominance and aggression) and its changes within male-male competition. This relationship is usually (in accordance with evolutionary theory) interpreted as the consequence of different individual prerequisites (or the degree of individual motivation) for high status position including winning a male- male competition. The aim of this study was to test the adequacy of measuring jealousy reaction in adolescent boys by way of changes in salivary testosterone level and finding their associations with some individual characteristics mentioned by researchers. For the purpose of measuring basal testosterone level before starting the experiment and changes in its level following the jealousy stimulus within a competition for a mate which simulated the internet mating and changes in its level after being informed of their failure in this competition, the boys who participated in our study provided three salivary samples (the samples were provided after 15 minutes after the stimuli). For finding associations of basal and mean testosterone level and these hormonal changes with some individual characteristics, the boys filled in..