Behavioral Endocrinology


Book Description

The second edition of a popular introduction to the field of behavioral endocrinology.




An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology


Book Description

The Third Edition of An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology retains all the features of the bestselling prior editions, and provides an updated, integrated presentation of the study of hormone- behaviour interactions.




The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Behavioral Endocrinology


Book Description

Although most will be at least somewhat familiar with the biological role hormones play during puberty and pregnancy, many are likely unaware that hormones - chemical messengers that are secreted by cells and that travel through the body to reach specialized receptors - impact multiple aspects of our lives from conception onward. Behavioral endocrinology and evolutionary psychology are complementary disciplines wherein scholars seek to understand human behavior. Evolutionary psychologists contend that human psychology and behavior are functional outcomes of natural and sexual selection pressures encountered in the ancestral environment. In this view, selection pressures designed adaptations of the mind and body, which produce behavior through a variety of psychological, neurological, and physiological mechanisms.




Endocrinology of Social Relationships


Book Description

This book, a rare melding of human and animal research and theoretical and empirical science, ventures into the most interesting realms of behavioral biology to examine the intimate role of endocrinology in social relationships.




Principles of Hormone/Behavior Relations


Book Description

Principles of Hormone/Behavior Relations, Second Edition, provides an introduction to the underlying principles of endocrine regulation of behavior, a newly emerging area of research within neurobiology and endocrinology. It addresses the properties of hormone/behavior relations, including the influence of family background, timing issues, neuroanatomical features, cellular mechanisms, and the importance of environmental context and evolution. This new edition incorporates critical advances in the field, also including increased coverage of hormonal influences on food intake, and on the cardiovascular system. The addition of entirely new principles provides further coverage of epigenetics and appetite. Thoroughly revised and updated, this book is an ideal resource for neuroscientists and researchers engaging in this rapidly expanding field of study. - Provides a unique structure where each chapter addresses a key principle that is illustrated by numerous basic experimental and clinical examples - Includes user-friendly features, such as boxed figures with extended captions and references, numerous clinical notes, and a comprehensive list of abbreviations - Contains numerous illustrations that highlight both the clinical and basic science information




Endocrine Disruptors, Brain, and Behavior


Book Description

Our world and bodies are becoming increasingly polluted with chemicals capable of interfering with our hormones and thus, possibly, our present and future neural and mental health. As authors Heather Patisaul and Scott Belcher outline, there is a large lack of data and evidence in this causal relationship, which begs a need for further study to accelerate progress in the endocrinology and neuroendocrinology fields. Endocrine Disruptors, Brain, and Behavior focuses on if and how these chemicals, known as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), affect the development and function of the brain and might be contributing to neural disorders rapidly rising in prevalence. The book provides an overall synthesis of the EDC field, including its historical roots, major hypotheses, key findings, and research gaps. The authors explain why even the concept of endocrine disruption is controversial in some circles, how differing definitions of endocrine disruption and what constitutes an "adverse" outcome on the brain shape public policy, and where the current capacity by different stakeholders (industry, academia, regulatory agencies) to evaluate chemicals for safety in a regulatory context begins and ends. The book concludes with suggestions for future research needs and a summary of emerging technology which might prove capable of more effectively evaluating existing and emerging chemicals for endocrine disrupting properties. As such, it provides the context for interdisciplinary and innovative input from a broad spectrum of fields, including those well-schooled in neuroscience, evolutionary biology, brain, behavior, sex differences, and neuroendocrinology.




Hormones and Behaviour


Book Description

Recent advances in non-invasive sampling techniques have led to an increase in the study of hormones and behaviour. Behaviour is complex but can be explained to a large degree by interactions between various psychological and physiological components, such as the interplay between hormonal and psychological systems. This new textbook from Nick Neave offers a detailed introduction to the fascinating science of behavioural endocrinology from a psychological perspective, examining the relationships between hormones and behaviour in both humans and animals. Neave explains the endocrine system and the ways in which hormones can influence brain structure and function, and presents a series of examples to demonstrate how hormones can influence specific behaviours, including sexual determination and differentiation, neurological differentiation, parental behaviours, aggressive behaviours and cognition. This introductory textbook will appeal to second and third year social science undergraduate students in psychology and biomedicine.




The Biology of Homosexuality


Book Description

In this fascinating book, Jacques Balthazart presents a simple description of the biological mechanisms that are involved in the determination of sexual orientation in animals and also presumably in humans. Using scientific studies published over the last few decades, he argues that sexual orientation, both homosexual and heterosexual, is under the control of embryonic endocrine and genetic phenomena in which there is little room for individual choice. The author begins with animal studies of the hormonal and neural mechanisms that control the so-called instinctive behaviors and analyzes how this animal work may potentially apply to humans. The book does not focus exclusively on homosexuality, however. Instead, the book acts as a broader guide to the biological basis of sexual orientation, and also discusses important gender differences that may influence sexual orientation. While firmly grounded in the scientific literature, this text is developed for a broader audience and will be of interest to psychologists, researchers, students, and anyone interested in the biological factors that determine our sexuality.




Vertebrate Endocrinology


Book Description

One of the only books to discuss all vertebrates, the fourth edition of Vertebrate Endocrinology has been completely reorganized and updated to explore the intricate mechanisms that control human physiology and behavior as well as that of other vertebrate animals. Perfect for students in endocrinology, zoology, biology and physiology, it allows readers to gain both an understanding of the intricate relationships among all of the body systems and their regulation by hormones and other bioregulators, but also a sense of their development through evolutionary time as well as the roles of hormones at different stages of an animal's life cycle. Chapters have been reorganized to more closely follow traditional classroom presentation and extensive suggested readings are included at the end of each chapter allowing the reader to obtain further information as well as connect concepts to the literature on which the book is based. For the first time, this edition features four-color illustrations. - Provides a complete overview of the endocrine system of vertebrates by first emphasizing the mammalian system as the basis of most terminology and understanding of endocrine mechanisms and then applies that to non-mammals - Introduces the reader to suitable concepts and explanation of jargon so that the reader will be able to delve directly into the primary literature on any endocrine-related topic with a background that will aid in their interpretation of new information - Revised and updated chapter on The Molecular Bases for Chemical Regulation that now includes more evolutionary data - Includes information on endocrine disrupting chemicals and their implications on the health of wildlife and humans




Hormones and Economic Behavior


Book Description

Behavioral correlates of hormones, emphasized by psychologists, have captured the attention of economists in the past years. Behavioral economists, in particular, have investigated the possible roles of hormones on economic decision making and behavior as well as social preferences and cognitive abilities. Testosterone, oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin and stress hormones are the foremost studied ones in economic contexts. Yet, the results are mixed and the relationship between hormones and economic behavior is under-investigated to this date. Hormone levels are measurable and manipulatable (e.g. activate, de-activate, block). The fact that the behavioral economics also employs experimental methodology makes it possible to observe both correlational and causal relationships between hormones and economic behavior. Since numerous environmental, social and biological factors interact with hormone fluctuations, capturing the true impacts of hormones on decisions and behavior is challenging. Manipulating hormone levels in the body is a method that is used to tackle this issue. Such studies compare observed behaviors of hormones or placebo administrated participants to determine causal relationships. This Research Topic welcomes the studies on the direct or indirect correlates of hormones on economic behavior and decision making to create new insights on the economic consequences of endocrine activity.