Describing the ways in which human subordination systems of ancient origin relate to other behavioral systems & contribute to depressive illness, this book offers a new evolutionary model of mood disorders & explores its implications for therapy.

Contents: Preface. Introduction. Part I: Subordination Strategies and Depression.P. Gilbert, Varieties of Submissive Behavior as Forms of Social Defense: Their Evolution and Role in Depression. L. Sloman, How the Involuntary Defeat Strategy Relates to Depression. Part II: Biological Correlates of Subordination and Depression.M. McGuire, F. Fawzy, J. Spar, A. Troisi, Dysthymic Disorder, Regulation-Dysregulation Theory, CNS Blood Flow, and CNS Metabolism. R.D. Levitan, G. Hasey, L. Sloman, Major Depression and the Involuntary Defeat Strategy: Biological Correlates. Part III: Psychosocial Dimensions of the Involuntary Defeat Strategy.G.E. Weisfeld, C.A. Wendorf, The Involuntary Defeat Strategy and Discrete Emotions Theory. B.P. Buunk, V. Brenninkmeyer, Social Comparison Processes Among Depressed Individuals: Evidence for the Evolutionary Perspective on Involuntary Subordinate Strategies? J. Price, Subordination, Self-Esteem, and Depression. Part IV: Psychotherapeutic Approaches.S.R. Swallow, A Cognitive Behavioral Perspective on the Involuntary Defeat Strategy. L. Sloman, L. Atkinson, Social Competition and Attachment. L. Sloman, P. Gilbert, Concluding Comments.