Neurobiology of Social Behavior

Toward an Understanding of the Prosocial and Antisocial Brain

1st Edition - July 17, 2014

Author: Michael Numan

Hardback ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 4 1 6 0 4 0 - 8

eBook ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 3 9 1 4 7 5 - 0

Social neuroscience is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field which is devoted to understanding how social behavior is regulated by the brain, and how such behaviors in turn… Read more

Purchase options

LIMITED OFFER

Save 50% on book bundles

Immediately download your ebook while waiting for your print delivery. No promo code is needed.

Social neuroscience is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field which is devoted to understanding how social behavior is regulated by the brain, and how such behaviors in turn influence brain and biology. Existing volumes either fail to take a neurobiological approach or focus on one particular type of behavior, so the field is ripe for a comprehensive reference which draws cross-behavioral conclusions. This authored work will serve as the market’s most comprehensive reference on the neurobiology of social behavior.

The volume will offer an introduction to neural systems and genetics/epigenetics, followed by detailed study of a wide range of behaviors – aggression, sex and sexual differentiation, mating, parenting, social attachments, monogamy, empathy, cooperation, and altruism. Research findings on the neural basis of social behavior will be integrated across different levels of analysis, from molecular neurobiology to neural systems/behavioral neuroscience to fMRI imaging data on human social behavior. Chapters will cover research on both normal and abnormal behaviors, as well as developmental aspects.

Chapter 1. An Introduction to Neural Systems

1.1. Introduction
1.2. A Schematic Overview of the Mammalian Brain
1.3. Functional Neuroanatomy
1.4. Conclusions

Chapter 2. Basic Genetics and Epigenetics

2.1. Introduction
2.2. Basic Genetics
2.3. Basic Epigenetics
2.4. Epigenetic Effects on Physiological and Behavioral Development
2.5. Conclusions

Chapter 3. Aggressive Behavior

3.1. Introduction
3.2. Neural Systems of Offensive Aggression in Nonhuman Mammals
3.3. Neurobiology of Impulsive or Affective Aggression in Humans
3.4. Early Adverse Life Experiences, Genes, and the Development of Aggression
3.5. Conclusions

Chapter 4. Sexual Behaviors and Sexual Differentiation

4.1. Introduction
4.2. The Hormonal Basis of Sexual Behavior
4.3. The Neurobiology of Male Sexual Behavior in Nonprimate Animals
4.4. The Neurobiology of Female Sexual Behavior in Nonprimate Animals
4.5. The Neurobiology of Sexual Behavior in Primates
4.6. Sexual Differentiation and the Development of Sexual Behavior
4.7. Conclusions

Chapter 5. Parental Behavior

5.1. Introduction
5.2. Neural Systems Regulating Maternal Motivation in Rats
5.3. Neural Systems and Maternal Behavior in Sheep: Maternal Responsiveness and the Formation of Selective Attachments
5.4. Maternal Behavior in Nonhuman Primates
5.5. Paternal and Alloparental Behavior
5.6. Developmental Influences on the Maternal Behavior of Mammals
5.7. The Neurobiology of Maternal Behavior in Humans
5.8. General Conclusions

Chapter 6. Monogamy and the Formation of Enduring Social Attachments between Mating Partners

6.1. Introduction
6.2. The Vole Model System
6.3. OT and Vasopressin Neural Systems and the Regulation of Social Monogamy in Birds and Primates
6.4. OT, Vasopressin, and Pair Bonding: Conclusions
6.5. The Relationship of OT Neural Systems to Autism Spectrum Disorder

Chapter 7. Human Sociality

7.1. Introduction
7.2. An Evolutionary Perspective
7.3. Important Points from Previous Chapters
7.4. The Insular Cortex and Empathy: A Potential Starting Point through Which Feeling States Influence Prosocial Behaviors
7.5. Oxytocin and Human Prosociality
7.6. Human Prosociality: Conclusions
7.7. Psychopathy: A Breakdown of Prosocial Neural Circuits That Results in Antisocial Behavior
7.8. Epilogue