Effects Of Hormones On Human Behaviour - Essay Example

Effects of hormones on human behaviour According to the cognitive level of psychology, the behaviours of human beings are determined by various elements. The hormone is a major internal element that affects the behaviour of human beings. There are various hormones in the body of a human being which affects different kinds of behaviour depending on the conditions they are subjected to. Hormones play a significant role in what is felt and done by human beings. The behaviour of human beings due to the influence of hormones may be positive or negative. A hormone is a matter secreted by an appendage in the body and is transmitted to different parts of the body through sap or water to stimulate individual reactions or behaviours (Morris & Maisto, 2005). Various hormones in the body cause different behaviours on the human body (Elton, 2002). Looking at steroids hormone in the body, the hormone affects the behaviour of both men and women in a different manner. Steroids hormone is responsible for the emotional stability of women during their menstrual cycle and during menopause and also for the emotions of the men. Because of the steroids hormones, we find that women become more depressed than men while men are at high risk of acquiring a schizophrenia which is a mental disease (Hafner, 1973). Steroids hormones cause the fluctuation of moods and emotions when women are in their menstrual cycle. This is followed by complex emotions and physical sensitivity or pain. At such times, the hormone causes the body of women to be sensitive to anything that is surrounding them. The fluctuations of moods include some depression and anxiety (Bronson & Desjardins, 1998). The hormone also regulates the menstrual flow and the feeling of discomfort. On the side of men, steroid hormones cause aggression and a feeling of revenge on situations that are not welcoming (Bouissou, 1983). Another hormone that affects the behaviour of human beings is testosterone hormone which is secreted by the testes. This hormone is mostly functional in men. Testosterone causes the reduction of aggression found in men. A study was taken to verify the effects of testosterone on the human body when exposed to different conditions. The study included the use of men and female mice which were subjected to different conditions. The first condition was the castration of men mice who did not receive testosterone injection. The second test involved the same procedure as the first one but there were sham operations that took place. The third condition was the use of female mice and the injection of estrogens (Bagatell, Heiman, Rivier & Bremner, 2004). The experiment took a maximum of fourteen days, and the results analysed based on the hormone testosterone and estrogens. The results illustrated that the mice injected with testosterone had reduced aggression unlike when they were not injected. The men that had been castrated and injected with testosterone had their aggression restored. The testosterone also causes the deepening or breaking of men voices and is a reason for the aggressive behaviour of the men when they are sexually active (Werner, Richard & Mahir, 2014). Adrenaline is also another hormone that affects the behaviour of human beings. The hormone is secreted in the adrenal glands found close to the kidneys. Adrenaline hormone affects the behaviour of human beings when in shock or when in danger. Mostly, if a person is in danger, the hormone causes the heart to beat faster than normal and the body to be full of anxiety. In case of a physical attack, adrenaline plays a role of preparing an individual to react effectively to the physical attack (Schmidt & Rubinow, 2007). The hormone also prepares and individual to either jump if the attack is from an animal, for example, a snake from the ground. Additionally, the hormone also increases the strength of an individual when in danger and one can to run away. This is one of the most interesting human behaviours that are caused by adrenaline because it leads to instant reaction either physically or emotionally. When in shock, adrenaline hormone increases the blood pressure of the individuals at that very moment which is accompanied by emotions or rage or fear. This causes an individual to be discomfort, and the behaviour is rarely hidden because it happens without the knowledge of the person concerned (Carter, 1995). Cortisol hormone is secreted in the adrenal cortex and is mostly related to the response of human beings to stress. The hormone restores homeostasis and balance to the mind of an individual in times of stress. The hormone helps individuals to deal with stresses and also helps in easing the mind to relax from the pressure of stress. However in situations whereby the stress of an individual is chronic; the hormone is produced in excess and may lead to a disorder known as schizophrenia. At this, a person can be mad or insane because of the impairment of the memory due to excess production of cortisol hormone. However, the total reduction of the hormone also helps in restoring the impaired memory and a person can be restored of his or her sanity (Donald, 1997). Additionally, Progesterone is a hormone produced during ovulation. It is produced in female bodies and at certain times. The hormone increases sexual anxiety of women during ovulation and is the reason for certain kinds of aggression and anxiety towards the opposite sex. The sexual desires and sexual activity of women during ovulation are increased by the hormone. Additionally, the hormone also increases the sensitivity of women at ovulation and women become emotional. The switch of moods is also associated with the hormone as it triggers feelings of anxiety and excitement (Nick, 2008). Conclusion Hormones play a significant role in the physiology and psychology of human beings. Hormones are different and cause different behaviours on human beings. The behaviours of human beings are controlled by the hormones in the body they respond to different situations as we have seen above. Every behaviour of the body and emotions that are evident are controlled by hormones are take place without our knowledge. Some of the behaviours of human beings are complex and cannot be entirely explained without thorough research and study of the human body together with the inclusion of individuals who can state their own experiences. Hormones can either cause a positive or negative behaviour on human beings depending on the circumstances they are subjected to. Adrenaline is the most visible hormone because of the behaviour related to it since it involves running and jumping. References Bagatell, J., Heiman. R., Rivier. E. & Bremner, J. (2004). Effects of testosterone on sexual behaviour in normal young men. Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. Vol 1(78): 711-718. Bouissou M. (1983). Androgens, aggressive behaviour and social relationship. Hormone research. Vol 1(18): 43-61 Bronson F & Desjardins C. (1998). Steroids Hormones and Aggressive Behaviour Of People. Physiology of Aggression and Defeat. New York: Plenum Press. Carter S. (1995). Hormonal influence on behaviour. Journal of Psychology. Vol 1(8): 141-161. Donald P. (1997). Hormones, Genes and behaviours. PNAS Journal. Vol 94(26): 14213-14216. Elton G. (2002). How Hormones Affect Human Behaviour. Retrieved June 5, 2014 from http://www.science360.com/index.php/how-hormones-affect-human-behaviour-6402/ Morris. G & Maisto A. (2005). Psychology: an Introduction. London: Pearson Education Inc. Nick N. (2008). Hormones and Behaviour: a Psychological Approach. New York. Cambridge University Press. Schmidt J., Rubinow, D & (2007). Androgens, Brain And Behaviour. American Journal of Psychology. Vol 21(1): 123-127 Werner H., Richard. M, & Mahir, B., (2014). The effects of hormones on human behaviour as measured by psychological tests. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology. Vol 2(4): 469-478. Read More