ANDROGEN‐INDUCE SOCIAL DOMINANCE IN INFANT FEMALE RHESUS MONKEYS

Abstract

SUMMARY Androgen injected into infant female rhesus monkeys between 6·5 and 14·5 months of age increased their aggressive behavior so that they replaced males in the top positions of the social hierarchy. Since this behavior has persisted for a year after the last hormone injection, the male hormone may have directly induced a permanent change in. the nervous system; a more plausible explanation, however, is that socially dominant behavior was so well learned during hormone treatment that it became independent of hormonal support. Despite the increased aggressiveness of the females, their playful and sexual behavior has remained feminine.