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Social neuroendocrinology
- Source :
- Human Nature. 17:212-237
- Publication Year :
- 2006
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2006.
-
Abstract
- In this paper we provide a critical review of research concerned with social/environmental mechanisms that modulate human neuroendocrine function. We survey research in four behavioral systems that have been shaped through evolution: competition, partnering, sex, and pregnancy/parenting. Generally, behavioral neuroendocrine research examines how hormones affect behavior. Instead, we focus on approaches that emphasize the effects of behavioral states on hormones (i.e., the "reverse relationship"), and their functional significance. We focus on androgens and estrogens because of their relevance to sexually selected traits. We conclude that the body of research employing a reversed or bidirectional perspective has an incomplete foundation: participants are mainly heterosexual men, and the functionality of induced shifts in neuroendocrine factors is generally unknown. This area of research is in its infancy, and opportunities abound for developing and testing intriguing research questions.
- Subjects :
- Sociology and Political Science
Perspective (graphical)
Survey research
Human sexuality
Neuroendocrinology
Affect (psychology)
Developmental psychology
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Anthropology
Functional significance
Relevance (law)
Research questions
Psychology
Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19364776 and 10456767
- Volume :
- 17
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Human Nature
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....167c39f5eb73a051932fccd5c81d616f