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BEH 225 Week CheckPoint Heredity and Hormones Influence on Human Behavior Heredity and hormones both have an influence on an individual's behavior. The definition of heredity is the passing of traits from parents to offspring. One of the major controversies in behavioral science is the whether a person's behavior is controlled by "nature" (heredity) or "nurture" (how a person is raised). So, the degree of influence that heredity has on one's behavior is still uncertain. One key piece of research that has been ongoing is the attempt by scientists to identify the individual genes that are responsible for certain behaviors. These behaviors include aggression, anxiety, shyness, and depression. Scientists often use families or even sets of twins to try to tie behavior to genetics or heredity. These scientists are not searching for a particular gene but for similarities that can be seen within families (Morris and Maisto, 2005). Hormones are defined as the chemicals that are released within the body from specific cells that affect other parts of the body. Hormones are a key component of the endocrine system and have an influence on a person's behavior. Parts of the endocrine systems that secrete hormones that can affect behavior include the hypothalamus, adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, pineal body, thyroid gland, and the pituitary gland. Testosterone is an example of a hormone that can influence a man’s behavior. Aggression is often linked to testosterone which is secreted in man testes. Testosterone is not limited to men women also produce testosterone and though out the month the levels raise. When the levels of testosterone are higher it has been shown that more aggressive behavior is exhibited. Estrogen is produce in a woman’s ovaries. With estrogen a woman may feel irritable or depressed throughout the month. The pancreas produces a hormone call insulin and which that breakdowns sugar. When you do not produce enough insulin the body can became diabetic. Diabetes can produce symptoms such as irritability or fatigue that can alter a person's behavior. (Morris and Maisto, 2005). The thyroid gland produces the hormone Triiodothyronine. Triiodothyronine is responsible for the body's metabolic rates. In the condition known as hyperthyroidism, too much of the hormone is secreted. A person with this condition can become very agitated or overly excited. Reference Morris and Maisto, 2005. Psychology: An Introduction (12th Edition). Prentice Hall.