PSYCH 3313 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Endocrine System, Coolidge Effect, Libido
20 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Sex differences in hormones, brain structure and behavior: sex differences are mediated by , continued expression of genes on both x and y chromosomes, hormone effects, epigenetics, societal and cultural influences. Sex hormone synthesis: all sex hormones come from cholesterol, cholesterol progesterone, progesterone testosterone (androgen, aromatization necessary to form estradiol, estradiol estrogens, males and females produce both androgens and estrogens (but differ in amounts) Sex hormones organize the brain: in presence of estradiol and progesterone, and in absence of androgens, brain develops in female pattern, in males, testosterone promotes male-typical behavior while estradiol suppressed female-typical behavior. Sex differences in the brain: sexually dimorphic structures, sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (rat, interstitial nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus (human) Hormonal effects on cognitive behavior: women > men, verbal tasks, related to higher levels of estrogen, men > women, spatial tasks, related to higher levels of androgens.
