Carole Hooven, a Harvard evolutionary biologist and author, joins the discussion to debunk myths surrounding testosterone. She addresses its misunderstood role in aggression and behavior while exploring how hormones influence gender identity and parenting. Hooven shares insights from her research, including the complexities of testosterone in both biological and societal contexts. The conversation also touches on the impact of testosterone therapy in transgender individuals and the need for a nuanced understanding of this powerful hormone.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Firework Analogy
Tom Whipple recounts a conversation with his wife about the Euro finals and celebratory behavior.
He uses the humorous example of a man with a firework up his bottom.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Path to Testosterone
Carole Hooven initially applied to Harvard's biological anthropology program but was rejected due to lack of experience.
She then worked in Uganda studying chimps, which sparked her interest in sex differences and testosterone.
insights INSIGHT
Hormones and Behavior
Hormones like testosterone act on the body and brain, influencing behaviors related to their function.
Testosterone, crucial for male reproduction, also influences muscle mass, body size, and aggression.
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Cordelia Fine's "Testosterone Rex" challenges the ingrained myths surrounding sex differences, arguing against the notion of inherent biological predispositions shaping gender roles. The book delves into evolutionary science, psychology, neuroscience, endocrinology, and philosophy to present a more nuanced perspective. Fine dismantles the simplistic narrative of testosterone as the sole determinant of masculinity, demonstrating the complex interplay of biology, environment, and social factors. She highlights the significant influence of cultural norms and expectations in shaping gender roles and behaviors, advocating for a more equitable society that recognizes the full potential of both sexes. Ultimately, "Testosterone Rex" promotes a more dynamic understanding of gender, moving beyond the restrictive binary and embracing the diversity of human experience.
Testosterone – a hormone that has been mythologised, maligned and misunderstood. It is frequently cited as the basis of male aggression and sexual violence. Christine Lagarde, former chair of the IMF, once said ‘There should never be too much testosterone in one room’, as a way of pinning the blame for the economic crash of 2008 on the predominance of men in the financial sector. According to Harvard evolutionary biologist Carole Hooven, such representations of testosterone are simplistic and misguided. And in July 2021 she came to Intelligence Squared to debunk the cultural stereotypes surrounding it. Drawing on the themes of her new book Testosterone: The Story of the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us, she addressed questions about testosterone’s impact on gender and sexual behaviour, parenting roles, childhood play and other areas of our everyday lives. She also addressed the controversial issue of testosterone’s role in gender transition and its effect on athletic performance, a much discussed topic in the debate over whether transgender women competing in female sport have an unfair advantage. And she argued that while we need a better understanding of the science behind this potent force in society, such knowledge should not be used as a means of reinforcing gender norms or patriarchal values. Hooven was in conversation with Tom Whipple, science editor of The Times, who was named Science Journalist of the Year in the 2020 Press Awards. For the Intelligence Squared discount on the book click here: https://www.primrosehillbooks.com/product/testosterone-the-story-of-the-hormone-that-dominates-and-divides-us-carole-hooven/
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