Hormones Flashcards
What is the endocrine system ?
A series of glands that produce & secrete hormones that the body uses for a wide range of functions
What are glands ?
Organs of the body that produce a substance that the body needs
What is the pituitary gland ?
The small organ at the base of the brain which produces hormones that control growth & development of the body
What is an androgen ?
A chemical that develops or maintains male characteristics
What is oxytocin ?
Hormone released by the posterior pituitary gland which has been shown to increase trust between people
What are hormones ?
Chemical messengers of the body
What is the difference between hormones and neurotransmitters ?
Travel in bloodstream at a slower rate
What do hormones affect ?
Metabolism, mood, reproduction & sexual function
How do hormones work ?
Bind to receptor proteins in target cells & changing cell function
What is hormone secretion triggered by ?
Other hormones or activity at the neuronal level
How is behaviour affected by hormones ?
When they are released or concentration of hormone
What is adrenaline ?
Prepares for fight or flight with noradrenaline
Where is adrenaline released ?
Adrenal gland
What is cortisol ?
Responsible for ‘waking us up’ and main job = managing stress levels
Where is cortisol released ?
Adrenal gland
What type of hormone is cortisol ?
Steroid hormone in glucocorticoid class
What is opposing research to suggest cortisol doesn’t inhibit aggression ?
Tennes & Kreye = low levels or cortisol in aggressive school children
Supporting research - Barzman et al
- 17 boys in psychiatric hospital (7-9)
- Amount of cortisol in saliva 30m after waking up correlated with number of aggressive incidents that day
Opposing research - Adelson
- Rats had aggression control centres electrically stimulated & showed hormonal stress response in blood
- Feedback loop = humans why stress can lead to aggression & vice versa
- Stimulating hypothalamus (attack centre) = release of corticosterone (stress hormone)
What is testosterone ?
Androgen (men x20 more testosterone)
What happens in a period immediately following birth ?
Testosterone sensitises neural circuits (stimulating cell growth in hypothalamus & amygdala) which sets up action of testosterone as an adult to effect aggression
What is supporting research that testosterone leads to more aggressive behaviour in males ?
Raine = 5% males characterised by patterns of anti social behaviour, 50-70% commit violent crime
Criticism - testosterone
Does testosterone cause aggressive behaviour or does aggressive behaviour cause higher testosterone
Supporting research - Dabbs et al
- Measured level of testosterone in saliva of 89 male prisoners (violent & non violent)
- 10/11 = violent crimes had higher testosteron
