Biology, in An Introduction to Vocational Psychology

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Biology
by Andrew D. Carson, Ph.D.

Most theories of vocational psychology and career development pay scant attention to the biological factors that influence vocational behavior. This is unfortunate, because such factors provide interesting challenges to the researcher and theorist, as well as root the field in what one might call the "hard science" of psychology.

One might even speak of a comparative or evoluationary vocational psychology, for all animals work, and work has evolved across species over time. Animals must perform specific tasks in order to obtain food, energy, and create an environment that is sufficiently safe to carry out these and other necessary functions. However, our present focus is on specific facets of human biology that relate to (human) vocational behavior. We address several biological aspects of vocational psychology:
Genes
Hormones
The Developing Brain
Stress, Rest, and Disease
Physical Demands
Drugs and Work
Diet, Nutrition, and Weight
Blood Type