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Nyborg sets out to prove that classic ideas of the mind, learning, and memory must be re-examined through the lens of modern biology. Neuroscience and the biological and biomedical sciences have advanced far beyond the limits of 19th century neuroanatomy, and we now know that chemical neurotransmitters and circulating hormones act to alter electrical brain activity and structure. At the same time heredity is now recognized to be not as omnipotent as in the Nature/Nurture debate of the last century. Nyborg examines these issues, and he shows that recent research in the molecular and brain sciences makes it possible to develop alternative research programs that apply empirical, quantitative, natural science principles and methods in order to unravel intricate problems like human nature and society. He concludes this work with a new approach--Physicology--the study of physico-chemical processes behind body, brain, behavior, and society. This book will be of great interest to behavioral scientists, and all concerned with the impact of physico-chemical processes on the changes in ourselves and our societies.
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HORMONES, SEX, and SOCIETY ____ The Science of Physicology HELMUTH NYBORG Foreword by Bruce S. McEwen Human Evolution, Behavior, and Intelligence SEYMOUR W. ITZKOFF, Series Editor IPAAIEGIER Westport. Connecticut London Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Nyborg, Helmuth. Hormones, sex, and society : the science of physicology / Helmuth Nyborg ; foreword by Bruce S. McEwen. ' p. cm.-(Human evolution, behavior, and intelligence, ISSN 1063-2158) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-275-94608-8 (alk. paper) 1. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2. Sex hormones. I. Title. II. Series. QP356.45.N96 1994 612.6--dc20 94-8640 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright© 1994 by Helmuth Nyborg. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 94-8640 ISBN:0-275-94608-8 ISSN: 1063-2158 First published in 1994 Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. Printed in the United States of America §" The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (239.48-1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents Foreword by Bruce S. McEwen Xl Preface xiii Introduction xix PART I MENTALISTIC APPROACHES 1 Mentalistic Approaches to Human Nature and Society 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Positions 1.2.1 Intrapersonal Positions 1.2.2 Critique of Intrapersonal Positions 1.2.3 Interpersonal Positions 1.2.4 Critique of Interpersonal Positions 1.2.5 Extrapersonal Positions 1.2.6 Critique of Extrapersonal Positions 1.3 Evolutionary Questions 1.4 Summary of the Critique of Mentalist Positions 1.5 Resulting Stagnation in the Behavioral Sciences 1 3 3 4 5 6 9 9 11 11 12 13 14 PART II PHYSICOLOGICAL RESEARCH 17 2 The Physicological Research Program 19 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Physicological Program 2.3 The Intrasystemic Level of Physicological Analysis 19 20 21 Contents vi 2.4 The Intersystemic Level of Analysis 2.5 The Extrasystemic Level of Analysis 2.6 Evolution and Physicology PART III PHYSICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS 3 Intrasystemic Hormone Effects 3.1 Introduction , 3. 1. 1 Intrasystemic Sex Hormone Effects 3.1.2 Overview of Mechanisms of Sex Hormone Actions 3.1.2.1 Actions on the Genome 3.1.2.2 Actions on Cell Membranes 3.1.2.3 Interactions with Neurotransmitters 3.1.2.4 Conditions Modifying the Actions of Sex Hormones 3.1.3