Selection social

Depression is not just an individual problem it is also a social problem. The people most likely to become depressed are poor, unemployed and undereducated.53 To some extent, this may be due to what is called social selection or economic drift. People who are chronically depressed might find it harder to perform well or even hold a job, and this might lead to a downward shift in their economic status. But there are data showing that the cause and effect can also run in the opposite direction.54 Different ethnic groups, for example, have different rates of depression. As the authors of one of the studies investigating this pointed out, ethnic status cannot be an effect of disorder because it is present at birth . Another study showed that people are more likely to become depressed if their parents were poor or less educated. These data cannot be explained by the economic-drift hypothesis. In other words, poverty and discrimination can cause depression. 

Simon, H. (1990) A Mechanism for Social Selection and Successful Altruism, Science, 250,1665-1668. 

Nesse My favourite example of a cultural creation that people have tried to propose evolutionary explanations for is religion. I m in the midst of editing a book about this, called The evolution of subjective commitment. It seems plausible to me that natural selection has created in us, because of its selective advantage, the capacity to make irrational subjective commitments to ideologies as well as to other people. Once we have this capacity, it creates social structures. Once those social structures exist, they create new selective forces. There is co-evolution, not just of language and the like, but of social selective forces and brain mechanisms, that leads us to a wonderful complexity. 

I. Hronszky, M. Feher and B. Dajka Scientific Knowledge Socialized. Selected Proceedings of... 

Indeed, 5-HT is also a substrate for the 5-HT transporter, itself an important player in the treatment of depression, and more recently for the whole range of anxiety disorders spectrum (GAD, OCD, social and other phobias, panic and post-traumatic stress disorders). It is the target for SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, and citalopram or the more recent dual reuptake inhibitors (for 5-HT and noradrenaline, also known as SNRIs) such as venlafaxine. Currently, there are efforts to develop triple uptake inhibitors (5-HT, NE, and DA). Further combinations are possible, e.g. SB-649915, a combined 5-HTia, 5-HT1b, 5-HT1d inhibitor/selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is investigated for the treatment of major depressive disorder. 

The vertebrates produce, send and detect information which is conveyed by one or more molecular types. Chemical information of biological value (semiochemicals) which partly or wholly activates the accessory olfactory system (AOS) is transferred during intra- and inter-species communication. The compounds involved convey messages of social importance originating from the need to co-ordinate gamete release. It seems quite likely that gradual improvements by selection of semiochemical molecules and their receptors eventually enhanced the reproductive benefits both for the sender and for the receiver (Sorensen, 1996). The dual olfactory systems interpret chemical input to allow the discrimination of odour... 

Flight by group-living species is likely to improve survival if coordinated by mutual chemosensory arousal, with the advantage of producing predator confusion. Whether such examples require a degree of altruistic selection within the social group is unresolved. 

With increases in group size and social complexity, and the consequent expansion of diversity in communication, there is presumably selection pressure for unambiguous signals. Over time, evolutionary change may reduce unwanted complexity and act to refine specificity. Whether this results in reliance on the properties of a single component rather than those of the pattern provided by a complex mixture is conjectural. A reasonable expectation is that emitted semiochemical(s) can be reliably produced, and that their contents are acted upon by selection. The improvements in control which can thus be attained are seen in the operation of stereospecificity (Miiller-Schwarze et al, 1976). 

The intensity of the daily chronic maintenance regimen varies based on patient age, baseline lung function, other organ system involvement, and social factors such as time available for therapy and patient-selected care choices. Generally, with more severe lung disease and multi-organ system involvement, therapies become more complicated and time intensive. Additionally, therapy is intensified when pulmonary symptoms are increased with acute exacerbations or even mild viral upper respiratory illness such as the common cold. The approach to treatment is best described by the organ system affected. 

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered the drugs of choice based on their tolerability and efficacy for social anxiety disorder as well as comorbid disorders. 

Gather patient history. Assess factors involved in drug selection. Inquire about social history and alcohol use. Ask the patient about drug allergies and chronic health problems such as asthma. 

Selecting Statistical Techniques for Social Science Data A Guide for SAS Users by Frank M. Andrews, Laura Klem, Patrick M. O Malley, Willard L. Rodgers, Kathleen B. Welch, andTerrence N. Davidson... 

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