Behavioral endocrinology is a branch of endocrinology that studies the Neuroendocrine system and its effects on behavior.[1] Behavioral endocrinology studies the biological mechanisms that produce behaviors, this gives insight into the evolutionary past.[2] The field has roots in ethology, endocrinology and psychology.[3]
The neuroendocrine system is an integrated system composed of neurons, glands and non-endocrine tissues, and the hormones and neurochemicals they produce and receive collectively regulate physiological or behavioral state.[4]
The hypothalamus is a distinct part of the brain that is made up of neurons and its main purpose is to maintain homeostasis.[5] The hypothalamus also plays an important part in survival of the individual by integrating the interactions between hormonal and behavioral processes, such as, eating behavior and aggressive behavior.[5]
The pituitary gland located in the brain is a major system in neuroendocrine system because the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary is directly regulated by the central nervous system.[6]
Neuroendocrine regulation of behavior
Social behavior, reproductive behavior, moods, feelings, attitudes, development and survival are affected by the neuroendocrine system and studied in the field of behavioral endocrinology.[2][7] One perspective views hormones as biological “coordinators”[8], responding to various “inputs” by appropriately regulating the related “outputs”. For example, androgens such as testosterone, estradiol and progesterone modulate the investment of resources spent toward mating or survival[9]. From this perspective, the androgens respond to several relevant inputs (the presence of potential mates, the amount of food or fat available, stress, illness, etc,) and modulates physiology and behavior accordingly (modulating metabolic rate and fat storage, courtship behavior, parental behavior, etc.)
Oxytocin is a peptide that has been associated with social behavior, specifically regarding areas like trust, empathy, and other affirmative behaviors.[10]
Vassopressin
Vassopressin (or AVP) has physiological functions regulating water retention and blood pressure, as well as social behavior.[10]
Thyroid hormones are responsible for controlling metabolism, nervous system, body temperature and development of several organ systems such as the reproductive system.
Behavioral endocrinology has roots in ethology and is also seen as a combination of endocrinology and psychology. Like ethology, behavioral endocrinology focuses on behavior on the level of the whole organism. The invention of radioimmunoassay techniques revolutionized behavioral endocrinology, allowing scientists to see and quantify hormones. The field historically resists reductionist thinking and focuses on the physiological aspects of behavior.[3]
12Welling, Lisa L. M.; Shackelford, Todd K. (2019-05-09), "Future Directions in Human Behavioral Endocrinology", The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Behavioral Endocrinology, Oxford University Press, pp.432–441, doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190649739.013.22, ISBN9780190649739{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
12Hennig, J. (2001-01-01), "Hypothalamus", in Smelser, Neil J.; Baltes, Paul B. (eds.), International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, Pergamon, pp.7113–7118, ISBN9780080430768, retrieved 2019-10-07
↑Goodman, H. Maurice (2009-01-01), Goodman, H. Maurice (ed.), "Chapter 2 - Pituitary Gland", Basic Medical Endocrinology (Fourth Edition), Academic Press, pp.29–42, ISBN9780123739759, retrieved 2019-10-07{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
↑Welling, Lisa L. M.; Shackelford, Todd K. (2019). Welling, Lisa L. M.; Shackelford, Todd K. (eds.). The Oxford handbook of evolutionary psychology and behavioral endocrinology. Oxford library of psychology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN978-0-19-064973-9. OCLC1033551068.
