Subordination and Defeat

Describing the ways in which human subordination systems of ancient origin relate to other behavioral systems & contribute to depressive illness, this book offers a new evolutionary model of mood disorders & explores its implications for therapy.

Auteur

Edited by Sloman, Leon; Gilbert, Paul

Résumé
Most people now accept that human beings are the product of millions of years of mammalian evolution and, more recently, primate evolution. This landmark book explores the implications of our evolutionary history for theories and therapies of depression. In particular, the focus is on how social conflict has shaped various behavioral and psychophysiological systems. Special attention is given to the evolved mechanisms for dealing with social defeat and subordination in both animals and humans. By linking human depression to the activation of ancient psychobiological programs for dealing with social conflict, one is able to understand the function of depression within groups, family systems, and between individuals and begin to distinguish depressions that may have adaptive functions from those that are the result of maladaptive feedback systems. Although many acknowledge the need for an integrated, biopsychosocial theory of psychopathology, there continue to be great divisions among social, psychological, and biological approaches. Sloman and Gilbert have brought together leading scientists and clinicians representing different disciplines and schools to present a provocative new evolutionary model of depression. This model illuminates old problems in new ways, links a common disabling condition to evolved mental mechanisms, and points to potential new approaches to prevention and intervention. The book will be of compelling interest to all those who study or treat mood disorders.

Contenu

Contents: Preface. Introduction. Part I: Subordination Strategies and Depression.**P. Gilbert, Varieties of Submissive Behavior as Forms of Social Defense: Their Evolution and Role in Depression. L. Sloman, How the Involuntary Defeat Strategy Relates to Depression. Part II: Biological Correlates of Subordination and Depression.**M. McGuire, F. Fawzy, J. Spar, A. Troisi, Dysthymic Disorder, Regulation-Dysregulation Theory, CNS Blood Flow, and CNS Metabolism. R.D. Levitan, G. Hasey, L. Sloman, Major Depression and the Involuntary Defeat Strategy: Biological Correlates. Part III: Psychosocial Dimensions of the Involuntary Defeat Strategy.**G.E. Weisfeld, C.A. Wendorf, The Involuntary Defeat Strategy and Discrete Emotions Theory. B.P. Buunk, V. Brenninkmeyer, Social Comparison Processes Among Depressed Individuals: Evidence for the Evolutionary Perspective on Involuntary Subordinate Strategies? J. Price, Subordination, Self-Esteem, and Depression. Part IV: Psychotherapeutic Approaches.**S.R. Swallow, A Cognitive Behavioral Perspective on the Involuntary Defeat Strategy. L. Sloman, L. Atkinson, Social Competition and Attachment. L. Sloman, P. Gilbert, Concluding Comments.