Describing the ways in which human subordination systems of ancient origin relate to other behavioural systems and contribute to depressive illness, this book offers an evolutionary model of mood disorders and 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.