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THE IMPORTANCE OF ENDOCRINE GLANDS

The endocrine glands are also called the ductless glands. These ductless glandsare important regulators of our behavior. The pituary at the base of the brain is thought

to exert a regulatory control over the adrenals, thyroid and gonads. From the pituarycomes the growth hormone {ACTH}. Over secretion of the hormone causes glantism,under secretion causes dwarfism.

The adrenal glands lying above or near the kidneys have two physical parts:1. Medulla which secretes adrenalin.2. Adrenal cortex which relates to salt and carbohydrates metabolism.

The thyroid at the trachea just below the larynx secretes thyroxin. It helps toregulate the basal metabolic rate. When there is under secretion the person becomeslazy and easily tired, often gains excessive weight. Other factors can also cause these

symptoms. Excessive secretion causes an elevation of metabolism, resulting in overactivity, excitability and sometimes loss of weight. Goiter is an enlargement of thethyroid gland.

The gonads, which are the testes in the male and ovaries in the female, are alsoimportant. The androgen or male hormone and estrogen or female hormone are relatedto the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as hair around the organs. Inthe male, they may relate to the voice change and skin problems. A female hormone,progesterone secreted by the ovary and placenta during pregnancy helps to keep theuterus in a relatively quiet state during the development of fetus.

From the pancreas comes the hormone insulin. When the blood sugar risesabove a certain level, insulin causes the liver to absorb and store the excess amount.When the blood sugar level drops, the liver releases more blood sugar in the form ofglucose. If insufficient insulin is produced by the pancreas, blood sugar escapes throughthe kidneys instead of being stored in the liver. This condition, called diabetes, may becorrected by the artificial infection of insulin.

Synthesis

The endocrine gland is important regulators of behavior. The pituary secretehormone. Over secretion causes giantism and under secretion causes dwarfism.Adrenals two parts are the medulla secrete adrenalin and adrenal cortex relates to saltand carbohydrates metabolism. The thyroid secretes thyroxin, if it is under secretion theperson becomes easily tired and gain excessive weight. Over secretion causes loss ofweight and goiter. Gonads is male is testes and ovary is female. It secrete androgen ormale hormone and estrogen or female hormone are related to the development ofsecondary sex characteristics. In pancreas comes the hormone insulin. If pancreas

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comes the hormone insulin. If insufficient insulin is produced by pancreas it causediabetes.

References: Peter Gray Psychology

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Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development

Kohlbergs theory of moral development constitutes an adaptation of apsychological theory originally conceived of by the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget. Hemodified and expanded upon Piagets work to form a theory that explained the

development of moral reasoning. Piaget described a two-stage process of moraldevelopment, while Kohlberg theory of moral development outlined six stages withinthree different levels. Kohlberg extended Piagets theory, proposing that moraldevelopment is a continual process that occurs throughout the lifespan.

Chart of Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development

Stage 1: Punishment-Obedience OrientationLevel One:

Pre-conventional Morality Stage 2: Individualism, Instrumentalism and

Exchange

Stage 3: Good Boy-Nice Girl OrientationLevel Two:

Conventional Morality Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation

Level Three: Stage 5: Social Contract OrientationPost-Conventional Morality

Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation

Level 1. Pre-conventional Morality (Ages 2-7)

Stage 1 Obedience and PunishmentThe earliest stage of moral development is especially common in young children. At thisstage, children see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important becauseit is a means to avoid punishment.

Stage 2 Instrumental Relativist OrientationThe second stage of this level is characterized by a view that right behavior meansacting in ones own best interests.

Level 2. Conventional Morality (Ages 7-18)

Stage 3 Good Boy-Nice Girl OrientationThis stage of moral development is focused on living up to social expectations androles. There is an emphasis on conformity, being nice, and consideration of howchoices influence relationships.

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Stage 4 Law and Order OrientationAt this stage of moral development, people begin to consider society as a whole whenmaking judgments. The focus is on maintaining law and order by following the rules,doing ones duty and respecting authority.

Level 3. Post-conventional Morality (Ages 18 and above)

Stage 5 Social Contract OrientationAt this stage, people begin to account for the differing values, opinions and beliefs ofother people. Rules of law are important for maintaining a society, but members of thesociety should agree upon these standards.