An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology

An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology, Fifth Edition, retains all of the features of the bestselling prior editions, and provides an updated, integrated presentation of the study of hormone-behavior-brain interactions. Continuing to emphasize a comparative approach, the text explores the endocrine mechanisms that have evolved in both human and nonhuman animals to solve common problems in survival and reproduction. The fifth edition benefits by the addition of a new coauthor, Lance Kriegsfeld (The University of California, Berkeley), who brings additional expertise and teaching experience in behavioral endocrinology.

The text describes interactions among hormones, brain, and behavior from a historical perspective, emphasizing connections among key theories and tracing the emergence of important hypotheses. The book is organized around the conceptual theme that hormones affect behavior by influencing one or more of three "components" of behaving animals--input mechanisms (such as sensory or perceptual processes), the central processing mechanisms of the nervous system (either directly, or by affecting its development or structure), and output mechanisms (such as effectors or peripheral structures). Despite increased coverage of molecular and cellular approaches, the book strives for accessibility for non-biological science students.

An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology, Fifth Edition, is appropriate for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, biology, anthropology, or zoology. It contains several important pedagogical features:

*Learning objectives (new to this edition) are set out at the beginning of each chapter.
*Key terms are defined in the margins throughout the text.
*The text is richly illustrated with color photographs and drawings.
*Chapter-end summaries restate important points.
*Discussion questions and suggested further readings are also included in each chapter.
*The text contains nearly 2,400 references to the literature in behavioral endocrinology.

RESOURCES

For Students
As with previous editions, the book is accompanied by animations, video, web links, sound files, a complete glossary, and graphics--accessible via the Companion Website--to aid in understanding the material in the text.

For Instructors
-The Instructor's Resource Library includes electronic versions of all the textbook's figures and tables. All images are provided as both high- and low-resolution JPEGs, formatted and optimized for excellent legibility when projected. All figures and tables are also provided in ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations.

-The Test Bank includes multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay questions for each chapter of the textbook. Prepared by the author, these questions are a helpful resource that can greatly speed the process of preparing exams and quizzes for the course.

Randy J. Nelson is a Distinguished University Professor and holds the Brumbaugh Chair in Brain Research and Teaching at The Ohio State University. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and a member of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine at The Ohio State University Medical Center. He is the recipient of the Ohio State University Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Nelson earned his A.B. degree in Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and began his graduate career with work on canine behavioral sex differentiation under Dr. Frank Beach. After receiving his M.A. in Psychology, he began focusing on circadian rhythms and photoperiodism with Dr. Irving Zucker. He simultaneously earned a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology from the University of California, Berkeley, then went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in reproductive physiology at the Institute for Reproductive Biology at the University of Texas, Austin. Dr. Nelson served on the faculty at The Johns Hopkins University for fifteen years before moving to Columbus. He has published over 400 research articles and several books describing studies in seasonality, behavioral endocrinology, biological rhythms, immune function, sex behavior, and aggressive behaviors. His current research focuses on the role of light at night in disrupting circadian organization of hormones, brain, and behavior.

Lance J. Kriegsfeld is Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Psychology at The University of California, Berkeley. He also holds a joint appointment in The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at The University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Kriegsfeld earned his Ph.D. at The Johns Hopkins University investigating the neural mechanisms underlying the seasonal control of reproduction under Dr. Randy Nelson. Following his Ph.D., he then went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship investigating circadian biology and behavior with Dr. Rae Silver at Columbia University. After completing his postdoctoral fellowship, he joined the faculty at The University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Kriegsfeld has published over 100 research articles and a book covering topics in sexual differentiation, behavioral endocrinology, circadian biology, reproductive biology, behavioral genetics, immune function, and sex and aggressive behaviors. He is a recipient of the Frank A. Beach Award in Neuroendocrinology and the University of California Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award.