Hormones and Human Partnering

Abstract

Research on the associations between hormones and human partnering represents an exciting advance in understanding human behavior, relationships, and sexuality. We review empirical literature on circulating hormones and human partnering (i.e., pair bonding, sexual/romantic relationships, pairing). We begin by reviewing steroids (e.g., androgens, estrogens, cortisol) and peptides (e.g., oxytocin, vasopressin). We then move on to androgen-partnering associations, attending to early stages of relationships, and partnering behaviors. A major focus includes relevant theoretical frameworks, possible directional or causal associations, and related controversies. We next cover associations between pair bonding, partnering behaviors, and both peptide (e.g., oxytocin) and stress hormones (e.g., cortisol). Following is a discussion of some contextual factors that might be important to understanding hormone-partnering associations, such as pregnancy or menopausal status. We conclude by summarizing and highlighting the main findings of partnering-hormone links and their implications; and we close by describing some of the challenges facing the field and some future directions given the field's current trajectory. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.