Kevin Conti

You have to understand that most of those orgasnms are no where as near as developed as the human form. Consequently, humans possess far more genetic adaptions and mutations than such smaller creatures. As most of these adaptions are to solve some instinctive problem humans find themselves with neurological and physiological functions, for e.g., intelligence (purpose including to assist in hunting and to attract mates). The process in which this happens is of course natural selection and the mechanism is through randon mutations. However, sometimes these higher order mutations can be bad and individuals who inherit these genes are predisposed to be more likely in receiving the problem (e.g. Narcolespy).

You have invoked the classical behavioural debate of determinism vs. free-will. And in your case you are wondering whether or not we have autonomy in our thought ability. I would have to disagree and partly agree. In terms of the deterministic side, it can be said that a lot of your current mental feelings are heavily influenced by the way you feel (e.g. depressive person will not be inclined to be optimistic!). Neurologically speaking hence, the way and context in which you think is narrowed down depending on your neurotransmitter levels. Adding to that, studies into OCD show that affected patients tend to have significantly less white mater than control participants and the same applies to their levels of serotonin. Consequently, this highlights the neurological importance of thought control and suggests that it is at the mercy of our current mental factors. In a behavioural perspective, our thoughts are invoked through a process of associations. For example, every thing you think about is linked with another classical conditioning association and that leads you to your next topic. Nevertheless, I do think that to a degree we are able to control our thoughts or at least it appears to us subjectively we can. Kev

excuse my grammar: are*

If it is assumed (and rightly so) that the disorder is caused by bad genetic mutations and/or neurological malfunctions then, of course, the disorder would have existed even before contemporary times. However, like most mental and brain disorders in the past, they were misdiagnosed as being down to supernatural or other fantasy phenomena . And perhaps the only reason the disorder is being found in dogs is that research into the subject has never been so much in abundance as it has been over the last few years. As new brain scanning and investigation techniques become available neuropharmochologists are able to test new drug treatments in response. Almost certainly, similar results would be found on dog cases and more importantly primates so they probably best to test on in preliminary theories on.

Of course they can. And central to this is advertising! In a more academic spectrum, consider people with narcissitic or egotist personalities. One way to manipulate them is to constantly praise them up and give them a boost. This boost to them gives them a feeling that increases their feelings of superiority or grandeur and makes them more likely to agree to things that you ask subsequently.

To a very large degree our brains are evolutionary equipped to analyze everything in our environment that presented before us (colours, people, noises etc) and subsequent to that there is a form of higher order analysis, where only the relevant information getting into consciousness. If you search for theories of attention you will see several views relating to this process, some processing different methods of course. The way in which we can prove (to an extent) some of these mechanisms is through experiments such as the cocktail and through monitoring brain regions when more than one sensory input are presented to individuals Nevertheless, the evolutionary significance of such a system is very important. We are subconsciously always evaluating our surrounding searching for the slightest sight of danger, and if that danger comes then our limbic system is preprogrammed to take over immediately (e.g. loud explosion results in fight or flight response). But the question is do we neurologically store all the information we take in? I think no, but what I will say is that studies of memory tell us that sometimes information is in memory but the inaccessible is due deficient retrieval. I am relatively sure that there is a memory theory called the "decay" one and that proposes that after a while information we possess disintegrates unless rehearsed. In addition, studies of STM show that it only has a very short life span. You said that hypnosis could be used as a tool to test such a theory; I would have to disagree as it is prone to encourage individual’s false accounts in cases of uncertainty. Kev

Glasgow is a very different place from what one might expect from a Scottish City. The stereotype of Scotland is one that is engulfed in beautiful landscapes and traditional ways of living. If you move to the north of Scotland (and maybe Edinburgh) you will see a wonderful country full of lovely scenery and the way of living is somewhat similar to the stereotype (i.e. they will wear kilts often and have strong Scottish feelings!). But Glasgow is more like an English city as it is very cosmopolitan and has numerous Universities surrounding it. Glasgow University is a very good one in terms of its international status and if you look at its history you will find several famous academic experts have studies there (it opened in like 1441). The city in general is not my cup of tea! I am sick of living here and as soon as I graduate I will be hiring a row bow to cross the pond! Thanks guys

Estrus in biological terms is referred to at the mating time for most primates (excluding us)

First of all i must point out that IQ is no longer considered an objective measure of intelligence and the statement that the IQ of the two sexes are equal is somewhat contentious. It should be noted that that studies of IQ so far have been unrepresentative and designed wrong, meaning that the results we have have been diverse. Specifically, the results of study A (which has been totally different) has been generaled to be the same as study B (again, a different IQ test). COnsequently, for that reason i am unable to point to any striking IQ difference between the sex. However, it should be noted that males are inherently designed to be more efficient with their spatial ability than females and on the converse, females tend to have more verbal intelligence and interpersonal attribution abilities. The reasons for these differences is an evolutionary one, particularly as the male adaption of improved spatial skills increased their chances of acquiring food in primate times. The fact that females are in general better at verbal manipulation is related to them being more sociable in ancestoral times.

Hello All, I would like to inform you that I will now be a regular at this forum and i will be able to offer my knowledge on several areas of specialism. I will be looking forward to expressing my views on particular questions relating to pathology, neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and social psychology. Thanks! and i am sure the forum will be great