Submitted by: Submitted by mzrenae
Views: 381
Words: 490
Pages: 2
Category: Philosophy and Psychology
Date Submitted: 02/20/2011 04:36 PM
The discussion of the effects that heredity and hormones can have on human behavior has
been an ongoing topic amongst psychologists for some time now. Many psychologists have
questioned if an individual’s behavior is hereditary, in most cases this can be
true. The influence of heredity in human behavior compared to the influence of hormones in
human behavior can be more alike than different. Heredity and hormones can both influence an
individual’s behavior. For many years scientists have attempted to identify specific links in genes
that could tie behaviors such as aggression, anxiety, and depression to heredity.
The endocrine system plays a key role in helping to determine psychological reactions.
The endocrine system consists of glands that produce hormones. Hormones are carried
throughout the body through the bloodstream and guide sexual development, metabolism and
growth. . Hormones are similar to neurotransmitters in the way that they carry messages.
Hormones can trigger behaviors such as aggressiveness, alertness and concentration.
The endocrine system consists of the thyroid glance which is a hormone that can reduce
the levels of concentration and increase the level of irritability. The thyroid gland can also slow
down metabolism therefore making a person feel lethargic. The pituitary gland, also a part of the
endocrine system, produces a wide range of hormones and has the largest effect on the function
of the body. This gland influences blood pressure, thirst, sexual behavior and interest as well as
contractions during childbirth. The pituitary gland plays an especially important role in the
growth of the body. Gonads are the reproductive organs and are responsible for sexual
development of both men and women and have also been linked to sexual interest and behavior.
The adrenal glands produce hormones that can raise blood pressure and also delay the bodies
reaction to stress....