PSY 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Blood Plasma, Sexual Differentiation, Model Organism
Document Summary
Exists whenever the interests of two or more individuals are in conflict. Conflicts are most likely to arise over resource limitations such as territories, food and mates. A social interaction decides which animal acquires access to the resource at issue. In many situations, one animal"s submissive posture or action removes the need for actual combat over a resource. Animals may also participate in threat displays or ritualized combat in which dominance is determined but no physical damage is inflicted. There is overwhelming circumstantial evidence that aggressive behavior across many species is mediated by androgenic steroid hormones. Next, it correlates with seasonal variations in blood plasma testosterone concentrations and seasonal variations in aggression. For example, in the fall, when high testosterone levels are secreted, the incidence of aggressive behavior increases for male deer. Second, when the testes become activated and the blood concentrations of androgens rise, aggressive behaviors increase at the time of puberty.
