Hormones and behaviour

Question 1

how are they released

Answer 1

Released by endocrine glands such as the adrenal glands, hypothalamus, pituitary glands, and pancreas. These glands form the endocrine system
Chemical messenger system of the organism

Question 2

hormones

Answer 2

-Chemicals which get secreted directly into the bloodstream where they get carried to all parts of the body
-Important for emotional and motivational behaviour
-Regulate slower processes like growth, metabolism, and digestion
-Can only influence that have receptors for that particular hormone (target cells)
-When a hormone binds to these cells, it launches a sequence of changes.
-They do not influence behaviour directly, but they change the probability that a certain behaviour will occur in response to a certain environmental stimulus
-Given the time it takes for circulation through the body, it can be weeks or months before the response occurs
-Effects are much longer lasting than neurotransmitters

Question 3

Oxytocin

Answer 3

-Released by the pituitary gland
-Known for its role in social interaction and sexual reproduction.
-Plays a role in childbirth, stress reduction, trust, and social bonding
-Released during breastfeeding
-Role in establishing the bond between the mother and child
-Released with every hug and associated with wider social emotions
-Linked to trusting other people
-Experimental manipulation of OT has shown an increase in trust
-Trust is an important tool among humans

Question 4

Critical thinking

Answer 4

Research has identified specific hormones with specific behavioural functions.
- however, hormone- behavior relationships are complex. There may be bidirectional relationship between oxytocin and trust , as increased human interaction and trust can lead to increased oxytocin production.
- it is not appropriate to say that oxytocin causes changes in trust and the encoding of positive social information but that it can simply influence behaviour
- As oxytocin is a hormone and a biological factor it is a reductionist expalnation to argue that it is the only explanation for certain behaviours as environmental factors such a socialization are overlooked.
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