Biochemical Variables in the Study of Temperament

Abstract

(from the chapter) concerned with the question why biochemical measures are employed in psychological investigations of temperament and what additional information they can provide for understanding basic mechanisms of temperament-related functions or theories # restricted to selected findings on peripheral catecholamines and cortisol and on central neurotransmitters which will serve as examples for elucidating salient ideas /// explanation of theories on temperament (theories based on psychological observations in humans, on biochemical observations in animal models, and on psychopathology) # explanation of underlying biochemical processes of psychological functions indicative of differences in temperament (psychomotor functions, cognitive functions, emotional functions, coping processes) # explanation of underlying biochemical processes of somatic response differences related to temperament (drug responses, psychophysiological responses) # detection of psychochemical relationships in the development of psychosomatic diseases related to temperament.