Hormones and Social Behavior (eBook)

Preface 5
Social Bonding, a Product of Evolution: an Introduction to the Volume 5
References 7
Table of Contents 9
List of Contributors 11
Modules, Minds and Morality 13
Summary 13
Human Faces: An Illustrative Example of Domain Specificity 14
The Ingredients of a Language Faculty 15
The Ingredients of a Moral Faculty 17
Folk Mental States 17
Emotional Processing 18
Moral Specificity 20
References 20
Brain Mechanisms Theoretically Underlying Extremes of Social Behaviors: The Best and the Worst 25
Summary 25
Introduction 25
Implications of Loss of Social Information in Cortical Circuits 25
CNS Arousal Mechanisms Leading to Social Anxiety Leading to Autism 27
Outlook 33
References 33
Serotonergic Modulation of Sex and Aggression 39
Summary 39
Introduction to the Serotonergic System and 5-HT Receptors 39
5-HT and Aggression: Is 5-HT Inhibitory in Aggression? 40
5-HT and Sexual Behavior 46
Are the Serotonergic Systems Involved in Aggressive and Sexual Behavior ( Dis) similar? 51
References 52
The Effect of Neuropeptides on Human Trust and Altruism: A Neuroeconomic Perspective 59
Summary 59
Neuroeconomic Tools for Studying Social Preferences and Trust 60
The Impact of Oxytocin on Human Trust 62
The Impact of OT on Generosity 63
The Impact of OT on Beliefs About the Trustees’ Trustworthiness 65
Does OT Reduce Betrayal Aversion? 65
Which Brain CircuitryMight Mediate OT’s Effect on Trust? 66
Concluding Remarks 66
References 67
Molecular Neurobiology of the Social Brain 69
Summary 69
Introduction 69
Oxytocin and Vasopressin: Social Neuropeptides 70
Neuropeptide Regulation of Social Bonding in Monogamous Rodents 70
Species Differences in Neuropeptide Receptor Distribution and Social Behavior 71
A NeuralModel of Social Bonding 72
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Diversity in Social Behavior 73
Implications for Human Behavior 73
Conclusion 74
References 74
Impact of Brain Evolution on Hormones and Social Behaviour 77
Summary 77
Introduction 77
Olfaction and Social Reward 79
The Role ofMammalian Olfactory Systems in Social Bonding 81
Social Complexity, Neuropeptides and Brain Reward 83
Opioids and Primate Infant Attachment 84
Opioids and Maternal Bonding 84
Discussion 86
References 88
Brain OxytocinMediates Beneficial Consequences of Close Social Interactions: From Maternal Love and Sex 93
Summary 93
Introduction 94
Complex Adaptations of theMaternal Brain Peripartum 94
Activation of Brain OXT and PRL Systems Around Birth 95
Functions of Locally Released OXT and PRL in the Maternal Brain 95
Brain OXT andMaternal Aggression 96
Beneficial Consequences of Being a Mother 97
Mechanisms of Blunted Stress Responses Peripartum 98
OXT and PRLMediate the Beneficial Effects for the Mother 99
OXT Effects on Stress Coping in theMale Brain 100
Positive Effects of Social Interactions in the Male: Involvement of OXT? 100
Activation of OXT in the Male Brain During Social Stimuli: Effects of Sexual Activity 101
OXTMediates the Anxiolytic Effect of Sexual Activity in Males 102
OXTMediates the Rewarding Nature of Close Social Interactions: Maternal and Romantic Love 104
References 106
Hormones, Brain Plasticity and Reproductive Functions 115
Summary 115
Introduction 115
Morphological Plasticity of the OT System 117
Neuronal-glial Plasticity in Other Neuroendocrine Centers 119
Consequences of Neuronal-glial Plasticity at the Cellular Level 120
Consequences on Neuroendocrine Regulations 122
Cell Mechanisms Underlying Astro-neuronal Plasticity 124
References 127
Neuroendocrine Mechanisms Underlying the Intergenerational Transmission of Maternal Behavior and Infant Abuse in Rhesus Macaques 133
Summary 133
Introduction 133
Brain Serotonin and Naturally Occurring Variation in PrimateMaternal Behavior 134
Serotonin and Maternal Behavior 137
References 139
Brain Corticosteroid Receptor Function in Response to Psychosocial Stressors 143
Summary 143
Introduction 143
The Stress Response 144
The Principle of CORT Action and Receptors 146
Function in behavioral adaptation 147
Mechanism: Responsive Ggene Patterns and Pathways 152
Diabetes as a DiseaseModel for Aberrant CORT 154
Genetics and Early Experience 154
Perspectives 158
References 158
Aspects of Behavior in Pedophillic Sex Offenders Treated with Leuprolide Acetate 163
Summary 163
Introduction 164
Materials and Methods 165
Abel Assessment 165
Penile Plethysmography 166
Polygraph 167
Psychotherapy 168
Results 168
Discussion 169
References 172
The Brain, Androgens, and Pedophilia 175
Summary 175
Introduction 175
The Brain Is a Major Determinant of Sexual Behavior 176
Human Sexual Behavior Is Largely Dependent on Plasma Testosterone 183
Antihormonal Therapy in Pedophilia 183
References 185
Role of Alcohol and Sex Hormones on Human Aggressive Behavior 189
Summary 189
Introduction 190
Alcohol and Aggression 190
Testosterone and Aggression 190
Alcohol, Testosterone and Aggression 192
Role of Estradiol in Alcohol- and Testosterone-related Aggression 192
Conclusions 194
References 194
Social Neuroscience: Complexities to Be Unravelled 199
Summary 199
Introduction 199
The Social Brain 201
Social Experience Driving High Levels of Self Awareness? 203
Outlook 205
References 206
Subject Index 209
Previous titles in the book series Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions 211