Psychology, evolution and the traumatised child : exploring the neurophysiology of early sexual development

Roberts, Celia Mary (2016) Psychology, evolution and the traumatised child : exploring the neurophysiology of early sexual development. Australian Feminist Studies, 30 (86). pp. 377-385. ISSN 0816-4649

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Abstract

Epidemiological research indicates that adopted children are at increased risk of early sexual development. Evolutionary psychology tries to explain this connection in two ways: arguing that early stress hastens sexual maturity through a kind of embodied fear of death; or by suggesting that early development is an adaptive response to improved life situations. Both explanations are problematic. In contrast, research by Stephen Porges on the evolutionary neurophysiology of early childhood trauma provides important insights into the persistence of behavioural and physiological patterns in neglected and abused children and may go towards explaining early development. More broadly, this work also highlights new avenues for theorising the entanglements of body, brain and behaviour that are central to contemporary feminist thought.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Australian Feminist Studies
Additional Information:
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Australian Feminist Studies on 08/04/2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/08164649.2016.1148098
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3318
Subjects:
?? gender studies ??
ID Code:
77748
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
25 Jan 2016 09:30
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
03 Oct 2024 00:02