ISSN:0022-3018    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1979

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

There have been numerous attempts since 1965 to stimulate more utilization of ethological methods and concepts in psychiatry. This literature is reviewed and an attempt is made to identify the factors which have inhibited an enhancement of this interaction to date. Most of the previous articles on this subject have appeared in edited collections, rather than in more widely circulated psychiatric or medical journals. Some of the articles focus on ethological theory, others on ethological research findings, and several on clinical analogies between animal and human situations. Regarding the specific way in which to integrate ethological thought into psychiatry, most frequently a phylogenetic approach is emphasized, however a few authors stress methodological considerations. In this paper, it is argued that artifactual differences have been the primary impediment to more interaction between these two rather similar fields. Scientific language difficulties, educational differences, and personal factors are described in this regard. Also, the real differences in approach and methodology, relative interest in normalvs. abnormal behavior, the degree of willingness to accept a phylogenetic approach, and the breadth of behavior being studied by the two fields are described. Examples of current areas of applicability of ethology to psychiatry are given: the attachment systems, early infantile autism, methodology, social psychiatry, and psychiatric education. Of these, the area where the most research has occurred and in which the findings of ethology have been the most utilized is that of the attachment systems. Clinically applicable studies based upon the premise that attachment systems exist as understood ethologically are reviewed. These include study of extra physical contact between mothers and infants at birth, the prediction of child abuse and neglect utilizing observations from the immediate postpartum period, the treatment of failure to thrive by teaching attachment behavior, and developmental differences at 1 year correlated with differences in maternal responsiveness at 3 months. The usefulness of a biological approach to behavior is discussed, particularly in terms of utilizing operational criteria and from the point of view of differentiating etiological, phenomenological, and treatment models. A curriculum stressing the writings of Tinbergen, Lorenz, Bowlby, and Hailman is presented for possible use in psychiatric training programs interested in teaching an ethological approach to psychiatry. A briefer curriculum is also suggested from the psychiatric literature for use by ethologists. The epistemology and methodology of ethology possibly will be of more use to psychiatry than the content. It is the opinion of the authors that the difficulties which have inhibited significant cooperation between psychiatry and ethology in the past are mostly artifactual, that such cooperation could be useful to both fields, and that a beginning to such interaction will require mutual familiarity with the literature.

ISSN:0022-3018    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1979

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The relevance of sociobiology to psychiatry is examined through a consideration of the theories of kin selection and reciprocal altruism. Predictions developed from these theories are compared with currently available mental-health statistics. The theory of kin selection is used to predict a positive correlation between mental health and the existence of an active kin-support system. Similarly, the theory of reciprocal altruism is used to predict a positive correlation between mental health and the existence of an active friend-support system. The findings tend to support both sets of predictions in that individuals with access to kin-support and/or friend-support systems are less likely to be hospitalized with psychiatric disorders than are individuals without access to such systems. Sociobiology may be useful to psychiatry in that in some cases it provides: a) a new focus on the adaptive functions of human behavior which may serve to aid the psychiatrist in evaluating individual problems; b) functional predictions which may help to identify segments of the population which are more at risk for psychiatric disorders than others, thereby providing guidelines for preventive psychiatry; and c) direction for research into unexplored aspects of human social relationships and their relevance to psychiatric disorders.

ISSN:0022-3018    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1979

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Ethological observations of maternal and infant behaviors of nine vervet monkey pairs (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) showed the effects of differential styles of early maternal responsiveness on later infant competence. Those infants receiving the least amount of maternal responsiveness and the most time-off the mother in the first 3 months of development were more socially competent at 6 months of age. The results are discussed within current ethological “attachment” theories. The detachment or separation process of mother-infant interaction is considered as important a factor during infant development as the primary maternal bond.

ISSN:0022-3018    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1979

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

In modern times the essential “normality” of adolescence has been acknowledged. With its pan-cultural and functional perspective, ethology is in a position to elaborate a description of normal human adolescence.Ethologists attempt to elucidate four interrelated aspects of a given behavior: its survival function, evolution, development, and elicitation by internal and external factors. The basic research strategy is two-fold: to identify biologically based, or evolved, behaviors (chiefly by controlling for the effects of experience and seeing if a core of evolved behavior remains); and to discover their functions by isolating the necessary and sufficient ecological conditions for their evolution.Applying this evolutionary analysis to human adolescence, we find that two developments seem to be basic: reproductive maturation and gaining independence from parents. The remainder of the article is an interpretation of various behavioral, morphological, and cultural data in accordance with these two developmental functions.Puberty seems to be timed so as to promote these functions most effectively. Pubertal changes parallel somatic growth and are delayed by poor nutrition, disease, and psychological stress—patterns consistent with functional considerations. The influence of natural selection on the sequencing of pubertal events is also emphasized. The role of pubertal hormones in altering behavior as well as morphology is illustrated.The adolescent gains independence from his parents by means of maturation and sex differentiation. Males become specialized for vigorous exertion, and females for work near the settlement—although considerable overlap in morphological and behavioral tendencies exists between the sexes. Various examples of sex differentiation demonstrate how morphological, behavioral, and cultural factors complement each other.Adolescent initiation rites help channel boys and girls into appropriate adult roles, teach respect for one's culture, and favor the fittest individuals. Hopi rites of passage are described as an example.Reproductive maturation likewise involves adaptive morphological and behavioral changes that are reinforced by cultural mores. Males rely on intimidation more than females, in order to dominate other males and attract females; contrariwise, females employ an endearment strategy more than males do. Many sex differences in human reproductive behavior can be explained with reference to man's parental behavior pattern. These include the male's greater aggressiveness, the preponderance of polygyny over polyandry, and differences in the antecedents of jealousy.Lastly, the need for an ethological understanding of adolescence is underscored as promising to offer a useful perspective on the problems of U.S. youth.

ISSN:0022-3018    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1979

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Hospitalized manic-depressive patients were studied using ethological techniques. Within the sample three subgroups were created: a) manic patients whose psychiatric condition improved during the course of hospitalization (N= 3); b) manic patients who showed little or no improvement (N =3); c) depressed patients (N= 2). Time-sampling procedures were employed to monitor the occurrence of a wide variety of behaviors in various parts of the hospital. Data were analyzed in terms of behavioral diversity, frequency, constancy, and profiles of behavior. Findings included: a) distinctive patterns of behavior characteristic of manic and depressed patients: manics had higher frequencies for most behavioral categories; b) characteristic patterns of behavior for patients who improved as compared to patients who showed no improvement: manic-improved patients showed a marked decrease in diversity as hospitalization progressed. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed in relation to the kinds of data typically generated from ethological investigations.

ISSN:0022-3018    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1979

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0022-3018    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1979

数据来源: OVID