Come out and hear BSOS Dean, Dr. Gregory Ball, discuss his research on aggression, testosterone, and the biological basis of behavior! Tuesday, February 20th @ 4 pm!

Aggression, Testosterone and the Biological Basis of Behavior
Speaker: Gregory F. Ball, Dean, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Date: February 20, 2018 - 4 pm
Location: McKeldin Library, Special Events Room, 6th FLoor, University of Maryland.
RSVP Required: bahaichair.umd.edu/ball

Abstract: 
Many people assume that biological variables determine behavior in an immutable manner. Such inflexibility is thought to be a constraint on behavioral change thus discouraging societies in attaining certain goals. These ideas are related to the notion that there is a Human Nature that limits us. While there is no question

that all behavior ultimately has a biological basis of some sort there is a causal web involving biological variables such as genes, hormones and nervous system activity that is profoundly modified by experience and culture. Studies of testosterone and aggression in human and non-human animals illustrate how there is not simple link between a hormone and a behavioral outcome but that it rather occurs in a social and behavioral context that affects whether testosterone is secreted and whether is regulates aggressive behavior. The effects of social context and experience also have profound effects on gene expression and neural function both during development and in adulthood. Understanding the role played by biological variables can help think about behavioral change but should not be viewed as impediments to facilitating behavioral plasticity especially as it relates to issues such as aggression and competition.

This event will be held in McKeldin Library, Special Events Room, 6th FLoor, University of Maryland.