Abstract
Being dominant is related to such privileges as better access to resources. Research has consistently shown that individual's dominance is positively related to baseline testosterone levels.
At the same time, studies show that dominance is related to voice pitch. Men's and women's voices with lowered pitch were perceived to be more dominant than those with raised pitch.
Men's voice pitch correlates negatively with testosterone. However, the lack of a relationship was found between testosterone and voice among women (Dabbs, 1999).
The aim of our study was to test relationship among dominance, testosterone level and voice pitch in young women. We assumed that lower pitch will be associated with higher level of dominance which will be in positive relationship with testosterone.
Until recently, we recruited 23 high school women (mean age +- SD = 17,7 +- 0,6) for participation. Each subject was asked to speak into a tape recorder microphone the letters A, E, I, O, U (three times in different length).
To assess baseline levels of testosterone we collected saliva samples using Salivette test tubes. Dominance was assessed by International Personality Item Pool (IPIP - short version with 11 items) and Rank Style with Peers Questionnaire (RSPQ).
We found correlation between subscale ruthless self-advancement (RSPQ) and voice pitch - higher voice was associated with higher ruthless self-advancement (r = -,450; p = ,046). No relationship was found between testosterone and dominance score (IPIP).
However, it was found positive correlation between voice pitch and testosterone - higher voice was associated with higher level of testosterone (r = ,502; p = ,028). These results did not confirm our assumptions.
We propose that estradiol may play a key role in fundamental frequency and dominance in women. At the moment we are waiting for results of estradiol saliva analysis and we continue with testing.