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Power Seekers are Different: Further Biochemical Evidence

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  • Madsen, Douglas

Abstract

In an article previously published in this Review I demonstrated that power-seeking, by which I mean the pursuit of social dominance, has a biochemical marker, namely, whole blood serotonin (WBS). Those individuals who are especially hard-charging and competitive have especially high WBS levels. This paper presents the results from an investigation of dynamics in the response of high WBS individuals to actual competition. My expectation—that they would exhibit special physiological activation in the face of challenge—is fully borne out by the evidence. Four hormonal indicators of activation were followed in blood samples taken during a series of social competitions. All four show distinctive patterns for the high WBS group. These results, in addition to providing new evidence on the behavior of the endocrine system in competitive settings, impressively support the view that WBS is a biological property having fundamental significance for behavioral political science.

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  • Madsen, Douglas, 1986. "Power Seekers are Different: Further Biochemical Evidence," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 80(1), pages 261-269, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:80:y:1986:i:01:p:261-269_18
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter K. Hatemi & John R. Hibbing & Sarah E. Medland & Matthew C. Keller & John R. Alford & Kevin B. Smith & Nicholas G. Martin & Lindon J. Eaves, 2010. "Not by Twins Alone: Using the Extended Family Design to Investigate Genetic Influence on Political Beliefs," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(3), pages 798-814, July.
    2. John R. Hibbing & Kevin B. Smith, 2007. "The Biology of Political Behavior: An Introduction," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 614(1), pages 6-14, November.

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