Carol M. Worthman - Böcker

As widespread social transformations have been paralleled by gains in health and life expectancy through public health and other improvements, a variety of other challenges to health have emerged, particularly in lifestyle related, behaviourally mediated changes in rates of chronic disease. Hormones, Health and Behavior looks at the relationship of human biology and human society at the intersection of behavior, hormones and health. There is both scientific interest and practical urgency behind the ideas and findings presented here, as the need for a socio-ecological view of function and well-being has become more apparent. This book documents an emerging understanding of how hormones create linkage between behavior or social life and health. It will inform graduate students and researchers interested in human sciences, human development, anthropology, epidemiology, public environmental and reproductive health.

As widespread social transformations have been paralleled by gains in health and life expectancy through public health and other improvements, a variety of other challenges to health have emerged, particularly in lifestyle related, behaviourally mediated changes in rates of chronic disease. Hormones, Health and Behavior looks at the relationship of human biology and human society at the intersection of behavior, hormones and health. There is both scientific interest and practical urgency behind the ideas and findings presented here, as the need for a socio-ecological view of function and well-being has become more apparent. This book documents an emerging understanding of how hormones create linkage between behavior or social life and health. It will inform graduate students and researchers interested in human sciences, human development, anthropology, epidemiology, public environmental and reproductive health.

The authors offer a unique exploration of the formative effects of children's early life experiences, with an emphasis on interactions among neurodevelopmental, behavioural and cultural dynamics. Multidisciplinary case studies focus on specific periods of development, or windows of susceptibility, during which care giving and other cultural practices potentially have a long-lasting impact on brain and behaviour. Chapters describe in detail: how social experience interacts with neurodevelopmental disorders; how epigenetic mechanisms mediate the effects of early environment; the interaction of temperament and environmental influences; the implications of early life stress or trauma for mental health and well-being; and the cultural shaping of sexual development and gender identity. The final section translates insights from this work into a fresh appraisal of child-rearing practices, clinical interventions and global public health policy that affect the mental health and well-being of children around the world.

The authors offer a unique exploration of the formative effects of children's early life experiences, with an emphasis on interactions among neurodevelopmental, behavioural and cultural dynamics. Multidisciplinary case studies focus on specific periods of development, or windows of susceptibility, during which care giving and other cultural practices potentially have a long-lasting impact on brain and behaviour. Chapters describe in detail: how social experience interacts with neurodevelopmental disorders; how epigenetic mechanisms mediate the effects of early environment; the interaction of temperament and environmental influences; the implications of early life stress or trauma for mental health and well-being; and the cultural shaping of sexual development and gender identity. The final section translates insights from this work into a fresh appraisal of child-rearing practices, clinical interventions and global public health policy that affect the mental health and well-being of children around the world.

Recent neuroscience research makes it clear that human biology is cultural biology - we develop and live our lives in socially constructed worlds that vary widely in their structure values, and institutions. This integrative volume brings together interdisciplinary perspectives from the human, social, and biological sciences to explore culture, mind, and brain interactions and their impact on personal and societal issues. Contributors provide a fresh look at emerging concepts, models, and applications of the co-constitution of culture, mind, and brain. Chapters survey the latest theoretical and methodological insights alongside the challenges in this area, and describe how these new ideas are being applied in the sciences, humanities, arts, mental health, and everyday life. Readers will gain new appreciation of the ways in which our unique biology and cultural diversity shape behavior and experience, and our ongoing adaptation to a constantly changing world.