6.6: Discussion Questions and Resources
Discussion Questions
- What are some of the problems associated with attempting to determine causation in a hormone–behavior interaction? What are some good ways to address these problems?
- How do organizational and activational effects of hormones differ in their influence on behavior? Provide an example of each and discuss how these effects might interact over an individual’s lifespan.
- Discuss the challenges in studying sex differences in human brains. How do researchers attempt to address these challenges, and what are the limitations of current research methods?
- Compare and contrast the biological and social factors that contribute to gender identity development. How might this understanding inform societal approaches to gender diversity?
- Analyze the evidence for hormonal influences on aggressive behavior. How does this research contribute to our understanding of sex differences in aggression, and what are the potential implications for society?
- Evaluate the concept of the “mosaic brain” in relation to sex differences. How does this idea challenge traditional binary views of male and female brains, and what are its implications for our understanding of gender and behavior?
- Imagine that you discovered that the brains of architects were different from those of non-architects—specifically, that the “drawstraightem nuclei” of the right temporal lobe were enlarged in architects as compared with non-architects. Would you argue that architects were destined to be architects because of their brain organization or that experience as an architect changed their brains? How would you resolve this issue?
Outside Resources
Book: Adkins-Regan, E. (2005). Hormones and animal social behavior. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Book: Nelson, R. J. (2011). An introduction to behavioral endocrinology (4th ed.). Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates.
Book: Pfaff, D. W. (2009). Hormones, brain, and behavior (2nd ed.). New York: Academic Press.
Video: “Is the Brain Gendered?: The Debate” Interesting debate between Profs. Gina Rippon and Simon Baron-Cohen on sex differences and whether the brain is gendered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxfaE-gWZ9I&t=2492s
Video: Endocrinology Video (Playlist) – This YouTube playlist contains many helpful videos on the biology of hormones, including reproduction and behavior. This would be a helpful resource for students struggling with hormone synthesis, reproduction, regulation of biological functions, and signaling pathways.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqTetbgey0aemiTfD8QkMsSUq8hQzv-vA
Video: Paul Zak: Trust, morality – and oxytocin- This Ted talk explores the roles of oxytocin in the body. Paul Zak discusses biological functions of oxytocin, such as lactation, as well as potential behavioral functions, such as empathy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFAdlU2ETjU
Video: The Teenage Brain Explained- This is a great video explaining the roles of hormones during puberty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiduiTq1ei8
Web: Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology – This website contains resources on current news and research in the field of neuroendocrinology.
