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Interpersonal Relationships and Behavioral Homeostasis

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Book cover Human Biosociology

Part of the book series: Heidelberg Science Library ((HSL))

Abstract

The brain is continually involved in secretory activity— producing transmitters, enzymes and other hormonal substances. The interaction or equilibrium of those chemical substances is the cauldron from which the behavioral readout emanates. We may say that the brain, in conjunction with all other organ systems in the body, secretes behavior. This is analagous to the secretory activity of the kidney the enzyme activity of which, in conjunction with various chemical agents in the perfusing blood flow, results in the output of urine. The secretion (or perhaps excretion) of the brain depends on informational input as well as chemical activity.

There is no sense of “I,” as in pride or shame, without its correlative sense of you, or he, or they. Even the miser gloating over his hidden gold can feel the “mine” only as he is aware of the world of men over whom he has secret power; and the case is very similar with all kinds of hid treasure. Charles H. Cooley, 1922(3)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22901, USA

    Wilford Wayne Spradlin M.D. & Patricia Bavely Porterfield M.S.W.

Authors
  1. Wilford Wayne Spradlin M.D.
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  2. Patricia Bavely Porterfield M.S.W.
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© 1979 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Spradlin, W.W., Porterfield, P.B. (1979). Interpersonal Relationships and Behavioral Homeostasis. In: Human Biosociology. Heidelberg Science Library. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-6148-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-6148-3_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-90350-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-6148-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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