THE HYPOTHALAMUS AND LOWER-ORDER GOALS Essay

Human behavior is vulnerable to the impact of both external and internal factors. External factors are independent of individuals, whereas internal factors seemed to be controllable by the individuals. However, the brain has the potential to go beyond the human control, especially hypothalamus comes into the play. In fact, human brain being the subject to numerous studies still remains being under-researched. In this respect, hypothalamus is one of the most interesting areas of the brain which draws the attention of many researchers. In fact, the studies focusing on hypothalamus reveal the fact that hypothalamus may have a significant impact on the behavior of individuals, especially in terms of lower-order goals. In this respect, it is possible to suggest the thesis that hypothalamus activates, when lower-order goals are to be achieved, including manifestations of aggression and basic human needs such as hunger and sex.
On analyzing the impact of hypothalamus on human behavior and its activation, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that hypothalamus area activates in case of aggression (Amaral, et al., 2006). Many researchers (Amaral, et al., 2006) point out that areas of hypothalamus grow active, when individuals are aggressive or when aggression starts growing in individuals. The increase of aggression provokes the activation of hypothalamus. In such a way, it is possible to trace the close link between activity of hypothalamus and aggression. The growth of aggression in individuals affects consistently their behavior and the activation of hypothalamus area may be responsible for human aggression. This fact is very important, especially in regard to treatment of patients with different disorders or individuals with aggressive, anti-social behavior. For instance, patients with mental health problems can be controlled through the impact on hypothalamus (Amaral, et al., 2006). However, further studies in this field are needed because this issue is still under-researched.
At the same time, specialists (Amaral, et al., 2006) argue that there is a close connection between the human body chemistry and the brain and hypothalamus is the manifestation of this close connection. The role of hypothalamus in terms of lower-order goals can be clearly traced when the relationship between Amaral, et al., 2006 hunger and hypothalamus activity is traced. Researchers (Amaral, et al., 2006) argue that hunger starts when insulin decreases blood sugar (glucose). The low glucose triggers hunger and an individual feels it. In this regard the lateral hypothalamus activates and an individual feels hunger. The lateral hypothalamus stimulates brain and nerve system and evokes an individual to eat to satisfy the basic need of an individual in nutrition. However, an individual cannot eat always. Sooner or later the satiety stage comes and it comes due to the activity of the ventromedial hypthalamus, which sends signals to the brain and nervous system that the stage of satiety has been reached and an individual does not need and want to eat any more.
In such a way, specialists (Amaral, et al., 2006) reveal the close relationship between hunger and the hypothalamus. The lateral hypothalamus (LH) provokes the stimulation that leads to eating, whereas lesions produce starvation. At the same time, the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) leads to the stimulation that stops eating, whereas lesions produce fat.
At the same time, some researchers (LeVay, 1991)argue that hypothalamus influences sexual orientation of individuals. In this respect, it is possible to refer to one of the studies conducted by LeVay (1991), in which he posed the question: Do gay and heterosexual people have different brains? The study involved heterosexual and homosexual corpses. The researched used the measurement, correlational study, to reveal the correlation between sexual orientation and hypothalamus. The author used “blind” autopsy of hypthalamus. The study revealed a noteworthy fact that an area of the hypothalamus was larger in heterosexuals than in homosexuals. In such a way, LeVay (1991) arrived to the conclusion that the size of hypothalamus can indicate to the sexual orientation of individuals. However, the conclusion made by LeVay may be quite debatable because the correlation does not prove causation. For instance, probably brain differences cause sexual orientation but researchers do not know it to be sure. Probably, the hypothalamus grew in reponse to sexual behavior. Nevertheless, these findings reveal the fact that the hypothalamus is related to sexual activities of individuals.
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to place emphasis on the fact that hypothalamus has a significant impact on lower-order goals. To put it more precisely, the hypothalamus is closely intertwined with hunger and aggression of individuals and, what is more, it may be correlated to the sexual orientation of individuals.