An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology / Edition 5

by Randy J. Nelson, Lance J. Kriegsfeld

Overview

An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology, Fifth Edition, retains all of the features of the bestselling prior editions, and provides an updated, integrated presentation of the study of hormone-behavior-brain interactions. Continuing to emphasize a comparative approach, the text explores the endocrine mechanisms that have evolved in both human and nonhuman animals to solve common problems in survival and reproduction. The fifth edition benefits by the addition of a new coauthor, Lance Kriegsfeld (The University of California, Berkeley), who brings additional expertise and teaching experience in behavioral endocrinology.

The text describes interactions among hormones, brain, and behavior from a historical perspective, emphasizing connections among key theories and tracing the emergence of important hypotheses. The book is organized around the conceptual theme that hormones affect behavior by influencing one or more of three "components" of behaving animals—input mechanisms (such as sensory or perceptual processes), the central processing mechanisms of the nervous system (either directly, or by affecting its development or structure), and output mechanisms (such as effectors or peripheral structures). Despite increased coverage of molecular and cellular approaches, the book strives for accessibility for non-biological science students.

An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology, Fifth Edition, is appropriate for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, biology, anthropology, or zoology. It contains several important pedagogical features:

*Learning objectives (new to this edition) are set out at the beginning of each chapter.
*Key terms are defined in the margins throughout the text.
*The text is richly illustrated with color photographs and drawings.
*Chapter-end summaries restate important points.
*Discussion questions and suggested further readings are also included in each chapter.
*The text contains nearly 2,400 references to the literature in behavioral endocrinology.

RESOURCES

For Students
As with previous editions, the book is accompanied by animations, video, web links, sound files, a complete glossary, and graphics—accessible via the Companion Website—to aid in understanding the material in the text.

For Instructors
-The Instructor's Resource Library includes electronic versions of all the textbook's figures and tables. All images are provided as both high- and low-resolution JPEGs, formatted and optimized for excellent legibility when projected. All figures and tables are also provided in ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations.

-The Test Bank includes multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay questions for each chapter of the textbook. Prepared by the author, these questions are a helpful resource that can greatly speed the process of preparing exams and quizzes for the course.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781605353203
Publisher:	Sinauer Associates is an imprint of Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/19/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	722
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 11.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Randy J. Nelson is a Distinguished University Professor and holds the Brumbaugh Chair in Brain Research and Teaching at The Ohio State University. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and a member of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine at The Ohio State University Medical Center. He is the recipient of the Ohio State University Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Nelson earned his A.B. degree in Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and began his graduate career with work on canine behavioral sex differentiation under Dr. Frank Beach. After receiving his M.A. in Psychology, he began focusing on circadian rhythms and photoperiodism with Dr. Irving Zucker. He simultaneously earned a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology from the University of California, Berkeley, then went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in reproductive physiology at the Institute for Reproductive Biology at the University of Texas, Austin. Dr. Nelson served on the faculty at The Johns Hopkins University for fifteen years before moving to Columbus. He has published over 400 research articles and several books describing studies in seasonality, behavioral endocrinology, biological rhythms, immune function, sex behavior, and aggressive behaviors. His current research focuses on the role of light at night in disrupting circadian organization of hormones, brain, and behavior.

Lance J. Kriegsfeld is Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Psychology at The University of California, Berkeley. He also holds a joint appointment in The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at The University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Kriegsfeld earned his Ph.D. at The Johns Hopkins University investigating the neural mechanisms underlying the seasonal control of reproduction under Dr. Randy Nelson. Following his Ph.D., he then went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship investigating circadian biology and behavior with Dr. Rae Silver at Columbia University. After completing his postdoctoral fellowship, he joined the faculty at The University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Kriegsfeld has published over 100 research articles and a book covering topics in sexual differentiation, behavioral endocrinology, circadian biology, reproductive biology, behavioral genetics, immune function, and sex and aggressive behaviors. He is a recipient of the Frank A. Beach Award in Neuroendocrinology and the University of California Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award.

Table of Contents

1. The Study of Behavioral Endocrinology
2. The Endocrine System
3. Sex Differences in Behavior: Sex Determination and Differentiation
4. Sex Differences in Behavior: Animal Models and Humans
5. Male Reproductive Behavior
6. Female Reproductive Behavior
7. Parental Behavior
8. Hormones and Social Behavior
9. Homeostasis and Behavior
10. Biological Rhythms
11. Stress
12. Learning and Memory
13. Hormones and Affective Disorders
Glossary
Illustration Credits
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

3 Stars from Doody

A text for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, biology, and zoology. Coverage includes the endocrine system, sex differences in behavior, male and female reproductive behavior, homeostasis and behavior, biological rhythms, and hormones and mood. Includes chapter summaries and discussion questions, plus a glossary. This second edition increases coverage of molecular and cellular approaches, and contains a new chapter on stress and a revised chapter that addresses affiliation as well as aggression. Material on the use of transgenic mouse models in understanding hormone-behavior interactions is included in this edition. The author is affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Reviewer: Christopher J Graver, PhD, ABPP-CN(Madigan Healthcare System)
Description: This book provides an introduction to behavioral endocrinology from many points of view, including genetic, molecular, and cellular. Areas covered in this book range from the endocrine system itself to the effects of hormones on development and behavior to endocrine relationships with learning and memory. This edition represents an updated and expanded version of the second edition published in 2000.
Purpose: In this book, the author endeavors to present information regarding the interaction of hormones and behavior from diverse perspectives. The author succeeds in providing a proficient overview of basic endocrinology, but also includes an abundance of information on the behavioral correlates of endocrine function through both human and animal models. This is one of only two readily available books dedicated to behavioral endocrinology and fills a niche in the endocrinology realm.
Audience: According to the authors, this book is intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate level students in biology, psychology, or zoology. It is written with the expectation that students have some background knowledge in biopsychology or neuroscience. It is certainly suitable for students and is presented in a manner that cannot be mistaken for anything but a classic textbook for use in the classroom setting.
Features: The most striking feature of this book is its ability to cover a broad range of topics, and yet do so without glossing over important topics. The author also provides information in a multicultural context, citing relevant practices from other cultures to highlight principles in behavioral endocrinology. In addition, information is provided about sex differences from a relatively unbiased scientific perspective, and seems to avoid most of the cultural, political, and religious biases that are often inherent in discussions of gender and sex differences. The inclusion of chapter summaries and discussion questions are particularly helpful and may incite intellectual exchanges in the classroom regarding somewhat provocative topics. Finally, the CD-ROM that comes with the book is excellent and includes basic information relevant to each chapter; video, audio, and animated examples to illustrate key points; and external links to additional information that students may find of interest. While the numerous illustrations and photographs are appreciated, it is somewhat disappointing in a textbook of this caliber and price to find only black-and-white prints. This should not, however, dissuade students or instructors from buying this otherwise useful book.
Assessment: This third edition provides updated references and general coverage, but there is little that is conspicuously new. Readers who have the second edition will not likely miss anything critical. For those new to the book, it would be folly to own anything but the third edition, if not for anything but the CD-ROM that is only included with the current edition. Although this book's coverage of the technical/medical aspects of the endocrine system cannot compare with Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, Larsen et al. (Elsevier, 2003), readers will be hard pressed to find a more extensive presentation of behavioral endocrinology in one place.

Doody's Review Service