Royal Society Science Book Prize Winner

Testosterone Rex

by Cordelia Fine

Summary

A psychologist's critique of popular claims that testosterone explains differences between men and women, written for readers interested in gender, biology, and society. Fine reviews evidence from neuroscience, endocrinology, evolutionary biology, and animal studies to argue that the so-called "testosterone-fueled" male brain is a myth unsupported by careful research. The book challenges deterministic stories about hormones and sex roles, showing how culture and biology shape behavior together.

Historical Context & Significance

Fine used neurobiology and social science to argue that human behavior is far more "plastic" and less determined by hormones than popularly believed.