Heredity & Hormones
For many years, scientists and psychologist have debated back and forth about whether or not heredity or hormones explain ones behavior or psychological disorders. After reading Chapter two of the text, I believe those hormones as well as environment affects ones behavior. Although hormones can attribute for a majority of our decisions, I feel that it is our environment that helps one determine their actions. I believe that our genes contribute more to ones physical appearance rather than ones actions.
Heredity, but definition, is the passing of traits carried from one generation to another through genes. Genes are carried by chromosomes. In a human being, there are 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs containing DNA molecules. These genes determine if one is male or female, eye color, height, skin color, lip shape, hair color, and any other physical attributes. Because genes are passed from one generation to another, it is easy to assume that things like psychological disorders can be passed from parent to child when physical disorders such as high blood pressure and heart disease can be passed on as well. After reading the chapter, I believe that while some behaviors may be inherited, ones surrounding environment and upbringing reinforce these behaviors.
Hormones, on the other hand, are chemical substances that are released by the endocrine system to regulate the bodies’ activities. While our nervous system helps to distinguish the difference between hot and cold and the reactions we experience when he touch something hot or cold within nanoseconds, our hormones control the bodies activities by releasing the hormones through the blood stream. At certain stages of life, hormones control how the body develops. A perfect example of this is puberty. The hormones estrogen and testosterone that are released control things like hair growth, changes in the voice, and the development of breasts. These hormones also activate sexual behaviors,...
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