PSYCHOLOGY 123    Section:

HORMONES & BEHAVIOR

Spring Quarter 2005

Units: 3
Prerequisites: Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior 101 and either course Psychology 101 or NPB 102.
Course Description/Objectives:
Behavioral endocrinology is the study of the interrelated effects on
hormones and behavior and vice versa.  PSC 123 (NPB 152) will explore
these interactions with an emphasis on proximate (mechanistic) causes in
an evolutionary and ecological (ultimate) context.  The general
conceptual framework used throughout the course will center on the
organizational and activational effects of hormones on development and
expression of behavior. We?ll begin the course with an overview of the
endocrine system, including the main endocrine glands, the general
classes of hormones as well as specific hormones that are particularly
important in behavior, the mechanisms of action of hormones, hormones
receptors, and target tissues.  We?ll also cover the main methods used in
studying behavioral endocrinology.  Building on that background, we?ll go
on to cover a number of specific topics.  Hormones play particularly
important roles in sexual differentiation (both anatomically and
behaviorally), so we?ll spend a significant amount of time discussing
that.  Other topics to be addressed include male and female reproductive
behavior, affiliative and aggressive behavior, and effects of stressors
on development and expression of behavior.  There also will be several
lectures (some of them guest lectures) that develop specific study
systems in more detail, such as the role of gonadal and adrenal steroids
in wild golden lion tamarins, and the interplay among environmental
stressors, the glucocorticoid stress response, and behavior in seasonally
breeding birds.  When appropriate we will draw parallels between animal
models and human systems.

Course Requirements and Grading:
The grade will be based on 2-3 midterms, a final exam, and homework
assignments.  Further details will be available on the first day of
class.

Text(s):

Textbook Information not Available Yet
Classroom Class Schedule Course Website
2 Wellman T R   7:30 AM - 8:50 AM
Instructor Instructor Email Office Office Hours
Karen Bales , Ph.D. 102C Young Hall Tuesday 3pm-5pm