An Explorative Expose: Entrepreneurs and Evolutionary Biology, the Relationship Between Testosterone and New Venture Creation.

An explorative exposÐ"©:

Entrepreneurs and evolutionary biology:

The relationship between testosterone and new venture creation

Q 1 вЂ" What is the underlying theoretical basis of the article?

A 1 вЂ" At first glance, it appears as though вЂ?Entrepreneurs and evolutionary biology: The relationship between testosterone and new venture creation,’ advocates a direct causality between testosterone secretion and entrepreneurial behaviours. As we read further, we are introduced to a theory that, similarly, focuses on linking the biological process with the individual’s predisposition toward entrepreneurial success. White, Thornhill & Hampson, 2004; are applying the psychological method defined as the Evolutionary Approach. This theory suggests that genetic adaptations are crucial to understanding, and decoding, human behaviour.

Charles Darwin viewed natural selection as the way in which useful/desired deviations were passed to subsequent generations and the useless/undesirable phased out of the populous. In localising the struggle for survival, Darwin initiated the idea of population. He claimed that competition within a species and the ensuing adaptations, give rise to one, or many, �new and improved’ species. All mutations that allow for the survival of the organism in question are retained, including physical attributes (colour, shape and size) and psychological attributes (food collection and emigrational patterns). Hormonal changes and their influence on behaviour are chief among survival.

The article discusses the importance of testosterone to their study. The dogmatic process in the secretion of hormones begins in the brain. Although testosterone is primarily produced (more than 95%) by the reproductive organs in men and women, the adrenal gland вЂ" located above and directly behind the kidneys вЂ" also produces this androgen. How has testosterone become such an important part of human biology? We can use the same evolutionary approach and вЂ?Darwinian logic’ to explain this phenomenon.

Testosterone governs libido, energy and the immune system, elements that were crucial to the survival of the prehistoric human. This was advantageous when choosing a mate. Accordingly, those with higher levels of testosterone had both a better chance of survival and health, and more chances to reproduce, thus surviving the genes to the subsequent generation. Testosterone plays a role in aggression as well as assertiveness, and the article presents the evolutionary manifestation of this hormone.

Aggression is no longer socially accepted. However, it is environments’ nature to transform in lieu of discarding. Humans are subject to this nature - aggression is converted into assertiveness; it is acceptable in the professional world and gratifies the evolutionary need for reputation.

The article also looks at manifestations of testosterone that contribute to professional success. Focus, sharpness, independence, and expressiveness are indicators of high-testosterone generators. Yet, the article defines testosterone and entrepreneurial behaviours as being inextricably linked, not exclusively dependant.

The researchers attempt to find a positive correlation between dependant variables, entrepreneurial behaviours and testosterone, and an independent variable. The text specifies risk as the independent variable and unifying characteristic. Evolutionary psychology indicates that psychological elements modify biological effects in behaviour. The article, in particular, is promoting just the opposite.

In brief, the evolutionary approach assigns the importance of adapting to behaviour. Those adaptations work in settings that allow for the adapted to either �sink or swim’. In parallel, natural selection rewards adaptations that facilitate reproduction. Paradoxically, one of the newest psychological approaches is based on theory that has enabled its’ existence.

Q 2 вЂ" What hypothesis are the authors testing? How are they proposing to do so?

A 2 вЂ" Evolutionary psychology indicates that psychological elements modify the biological or physiological effects on behaviour. The hypothesis is based on the reverse statement: A) testosterone mediates the psychological, and B) the risk-taking behaviour and the probability that certain individuals will be more responsive to entrepreneurial endeavours.

Of the 272 MBA student pool, the sample used was 166 males. The female demographic was too small to produce statistically viable results. Were there reliable female data, gender separation would have been essential to the study because of the difference in natural testosterone levels occurring in each sex. To keep a mixed-gender study as valid as possible, all female subjects taking oral contraceptive would have been excluded from the study based on compromised testosterone levels due to medication. The article does not mention if there was an equal compromise with the male demographic and anabolic steroids; asthmatics1 and the etiological relationship between testosterone and status asthmaticus, or diseases such as granulomatous enteritis (Crohn’s). All subjects were free to withdraw from the study at any time and they remain anonymous pre-, during, and post-study.

Data collection was as follows: “… (1) entrepreneurial background and personal and demographic data, (2) Jackson Personality Inventory (JPI) scale, and (3) two saliva samples to be assayed for T.” First, a saliva sample was acquired. Second, a demographic and entrepreneur questionnaire was administered. Third, a second saliva sample was taken after the conclusion of the survey. This second sample was kept in test-tubes for 24 hours and then frozen to -20Ð'oC. They were kept frozen until May 2002, when the analysis was performed.

1. Trethewie ER. Nature. 1966 Mar 12;209(5028):1136. Asthma and testosterone.

The Jackson Personality Inventory scale is used to measure personality and the execution of behaviour. High-scores on this test are directly related to individuals likely to make decisions that bear tentative results, whereas low-scores are related to cautiousness. The researchers used this scale because of its reliability. Many previous studies using the