Michael T. McGuire

Dr. Michael T. McGuire was an Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry/Biobehavioral Scineces at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has who has made contributions to the theory of psychoanalysis, biological psychiatry, evolutionary biology, sociobiology and the theory and practice of psychiatry.

As a member of the Behavioral Research Institute at UCLA and Director of the Sepulveda Veterans Administration/UCLA Nonhuman Primate Laboratory, his primary areas of interest were nonhuman primatebehavior, brainphysiology, evolutionarytheory, and ethology. Michael's career in psychiatry and the biobehavioral sciences spanned over six decades and resulted in numerous books and scientific publications.

As a professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, Michael's research and publications pioneered and expanded the application of principles of evolutionary biology to the social sciences.

Professor McGuire’s study of neurochemistry, including neurotransmitters such as serotonin, and their impact on behavior shed light on the importance of neurochemistry to law, medicine and society. This work is featured in his book The Neurotransmitter Revolution: Serotonin, Social Behavior and the Law (with Roger Masters, edited by Margaret Gruter). He also pioneered work in applying concepts from evolutionary biology to psychiatry. Most recently, Michael collaborated with Lionel Tiger in God's Brain, explaining religion and its ubiquity as an innate neurological need.

Professor McGuire is survived by his wife and children.