The Science of Testosterone || Carole Hooven
The Psychology Podcast
iHeartPodcasts
4.4 • 2K Ratings
🗓️ 9 March 2023
⏱️ 70 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Today we welcome Dr. Carole Hooven. For the past six years, she served as a lecturer and co-director of undergraduate studies at Harvard’s department of Human Evolutionary Biology. She has received numerous teaching awards, and her popular Hormones and Behavior class was named one of the Harvard Crimson’s “top ten tried and true.” Currently, Dr. Hooven has moved to the Psychology department where she works as an associate at Steven Pinker’s lab. Her latest book is called T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us.
In this episode, I talked to Dr. Carole Hooven about the science of testosterone. Why do males have higher rates of physical violence, take on more risk, and desire more sexual partners? Dr. Hooven’s research points to testosterone as the answer. Although sex differences may stem from biology, variations in behavior may be better explained by genetics interacting with culture. We also touch on the topics of evolutionary biology, gender dysphoria, gender-affirming care, and academic freedom.
Website: carolehooven.com
Twitter: @hoovlet
Topics
02:49 Dr. Carole’s background and expertise
09:26 Sex differences in mental rotation
21:38 How hormones work
24:47 The uses and effects of testosterone
28:00 Testosterone, risk, and violence
31:23 Genetic and cultural differences
35:33 Trans women’s athletic advantages
38:51 Let scientists conduct research
44:22 Side effects of puberty blockers
49:31 Evidence-informed view of transitioning
56:30 There is no trans phenotype
59:22 The TERFs vs trans debates
1:03:28 Suppression of academic freedom
1:06:48 Untangle science from politics
1:09:15 Can we modify our chromosomes?
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Men do take more physical risks than women, but it's not all negative. |
| 0:05.6 | It's not all risks like killing each other or, you know, behaving violently. |
| 0:10.3 | Like you said, those risks are also to save the lives of others. |
| 0:16.6 | Hello and welcome to the Psychology Podcast. |
| 0:19.2 | The following episode is part of the Making Sense of Sex and Gender series on this podcast. |
| 0:24.5 | In this series, we try to make sense of the distinction between sex and gender |
| 0:28.6 | and cover trans issues in a very thoughtful and nuanced fashion. |
| 0:32.9 | We have balanced discussions from multiple perspectives, including scientists, activists, |
| 0:37.4 | and a leading feminism scholar. |
| 0:39.4 | This series will hopefully expand your mind and help you make sense |
| 0:43.0 | of the current heated debates surrounding the distinctions between sex and gender, |
| 0:46.9 | as well as transgender issues. |
| 0:49.0 | The aim is to turn down the temperature on this very heated topic |
| 0:52.8 | and increase understanding and integrate truth with love. |
| 0:57.2 | I hope you will listen to this entire series with an open mind and an open heart. |
| 1:01.6 | And as always, we look forward to hearing your feedback and comments on our website |
| 1:06.2 | and on the YouTube channel. |
| 1:07.7 | So that further ado, I bring you this episode within the Making Sense of Sex and Gender series. |
| 1:13.9 | Today we welcome Dr. Carol Huvin on the show. |
| 1:17.6 | For the past six years, Dr. Huvin has served as a lecturer and co-director |
| 1:22.5 | of Undergraduate Studies at Harvard's Department of Human Evolutionary Biology. |
| 1:27.2 | She has received numerous teaching awards, |
... |
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