agonic vs hedonic mode is related to the distinction made elsewhere between cold and warm alpha - acquiring status via prospect of applying brute force vs by prospect of adding social value. so v related to mone use
agonic in animals = oriented towards fighting, although fighting not actually taking place. in humans aggression is more subtle due to use of putdowns, diminishing via faint praise etc. communication is more instrumental.
hedonic - acceptance, no underlying objection or resentment of whatever degree of social asymmetry may exist (by all parties). no put-downs/oneupmanship - status is not an issue or focus of attention. communication is more affective/expressive.
agonic - androstenone, androstenedione, TAL?
hedonic - Shine/TAA,TAC, alpha-androstedienol?, A314, TAH, betanol?, …?
It is suggested that the two modes are useful in describing episodes in relationships, so that, at any one time, a relationship can be said to be either in the agonic or the hedonic mode. Dyadic interaction in the agonic mode is characterised by a) mutual orientation towards agonistic behaviour, b) non-redundancy of the definitional components of communications, c) aversiveness of the other’s approach behaviour and rewardingness of the other’s escape behaviour and d) evaluation of the other in terms of the self, whereas in hedonic competition A evaluates B in terms of C,D,E, etc. Many mental health problems are related to social competition, which occurs in both modes, but is continuous and more pathogenic in the agonic mode. Mental health promotion is therefore concerned with facilitating the switch from agonic to hedonic, and discouraging the switch from hedonic to agonic.