The Psychobiology of Human MotivationWhy is one person motivated to create a business empire whilst another is inspired to produce a beautiful work of art? Why do some people prefer a quiet life? The Psychobiology of Human Motivation explores what directs our behaviour, from basic physiological needs like hunger and thirst to more complex aspects of social behaviour like altruism. Hugh Wagner explores the limits of biological explanations and shows how humans can influence `basic' physiological drives in order to adapt to a complex social environment. |
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activating effects addiction adrenal cortex aggressive behaviour alcohol altruism amygdala androgens animals anorexia anorexia nervosa arousal axons biological blood body Brain Research brain stem causes cells centres cerebral Chapter circadian rhythm circuits cognitive depends deprivation dissonance dopamine drinking drive drug tolerance eating electrolyte endocrine example factors female fibres fluid follicles forebrain functions genes genetic glucose homeostatic homosexual hormone human hypothalamus increased injections insulin involved learning lesions medulla melatonin menstrual cycle metabolic midbrain molecules motivation needs nervous system neural neurones neurotransmitter nucleus obesity oestrogen offensive aggression opiates organising effects organs osmoreceptors peptides peripheral physiological mechanisms pituitary gland preoptic area processes produced progesterone psychology receptors REM sleep response result reward secretion sensory sexual activity sexual behaviour sexual dimorphism shown social species spinal cord stimulation structures studies substances suprachiasmatic nucleus SW sleep synapse temperature testosterone testosterone levels thalamus theory thirst tion tissues