Coping with Conflict: Testosterone and Cortisol Changes in Men Dealing with Disagreement about Values versus Resources

Abstract

In an experimental design, we manipulated disagreement about values versus resources (N = 36). We investigated, using male participants, how the nature of the conflict affects testosterone and cortisol changes. We hypothesized a testosterone increase in response to disagreement about resources, but no increase when values were at stake. Results corroborated this idea. This research illustrates how psychological factors affect neuroendocrine and coping responses to social stressors and conflict.