Nature & Nurture

Dr. Larry Young is the William P. Timmie Professor of Psychiatry at Emory School of Medicine, where he directs the Center for Translational Social Neuroscience and the Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition at Emory University. He is the author of The Chemistry Between Us: Love, Sex, and the Science of Attraction explores the latest discoveries of how brain chemistry influences all aspects of our relationships with others. Dr. Young’s research focuses on the role of oxytocin and vasopressin in mediating social bonding and sexual behavior across a wide range of species, with emphasis on understanding the evolution and neural circuit mechanisms underlying love, attachment, and social bonding in humans.
00:27 A Childhood Fascination with Animal Behavior
01:14 From Undergraduate to PhD: A Journey Through the Study of Animal Behavior
02:23 Exploring the Fascinating World of Lizards and Their Reproductive Behaviors
05:46 Delving into the Red Queen Hypothesis and the Evolution of Sexual Reproduction
08:34 The Complex Interplay of Hormones and Brain Development in Humans
09:21 Unraveling the Mysteries of Gender and Sexual Orientation in Nature
16:13 The Neurobiology of Love and Bonding: From Prairie Voles to Humans
19:53 Oxytocin: The Hormone of Birth, Maternal Care, and Social Bonds
23:30 Understanding the Role of Touch and Hormonal Release in Social Bonds
32:30 The Impact of Partner Loss on Bonded Animals
33:51 Exploring Love and Addiction in Nature
34:41 The Science of Love: Oxytocin's Role in Bonding
36:32 Human Love and the Influence of Oxytocin
38:53 The Evolutionary Perspective on Love and Attraction
42:15 The Complexities of Love, Free Will, and Biology
44:34 Sexual Behavior and Attraction Across Species
56:45 Oxytocin's Dual Role in Social Behavior and Aggression
01:04:47 Strengthening Relationships Through Science