Oxytocin increases trust in humans

Oxytocin increases trust in humans

2005 | Kosfeld, Michael; Heinrichs, Markus; Zak, Paul J; Fischbacher, Urs; Fehr, Ernst
The study by Kosfeld et al. (2005) investigates the impact of oxytocin on trust in humans. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide known for its role in social attachment and affiliation in non-human mammals, was administered intranasally to participants. The researchers used a double-blind, placebo-controlled design to compare the effects of oxytocin on trust behavior in a trust game with real monetary stakes. Key findings include: 1. **Increased Trust**: Participants who received oxytocin exhibited significantly higher levels of trust compared to those who received a placebo. Specifically, 45% of the oxytocin group showed maximal trust, while only 21% of the placebo group did so. 2. **Specific Effect on Trust**: The effect of oxytocin was specific to trust behavior in social interactions. In a risk experiment where the investor faced random mechanisms instead of social interactions, there was no significant difference in trust behavior between the oxytocin and placebo groups. 3. **No General Increase in Risk Taking**: Oxytocin did not increase the general aversion to risk or the willingness to take risks in social interactions. 4. **No Change in Reciprocity**: Oxytocin did not affect the trustees' willingness to reciprocate trust, suggesting that the effect is specific to the investors' behavior. 5. **No Change in Beliefs**: Investors' beliefs about the likelihood of a good outcome did not differ significantly between the oxytocin and placebo groups. The study suggests that oxytocin may play a crucial role in promoting prosocial approach behavior, particularly in overcoming social avoidance and enhancing trust in interpersonal interactions. This finding has implications for understanding and potentially treating social dysfunctions in humans, such as social phobia and autism.The study by Kosfeld et al. (2005) investigates the impact of oxytocin on trust in humans. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide known for its role in social attachment and affiliation in non-human mammals, was administered intranasally to participants. The researchers used a double-blind, placebo-controlled design to compare the effects of oxytocin on trust behavior in a trust game with real monetary stakes. Key findings include: 1. **Increased Trust**: Participants who received oxytocin exhibited significantly higher levels of trust compared to those who received a placebo. Specifically, 45% of the oxytocin group showed maximal trust, while only 21% of the placebo group did so. 2. **Specific Effect on Trust**: The effect of oxytocin was specific to trust behavior in social interactions. In a risk experiment where the investor faced random mechanisms instead of social interactions, there was no significant difference in trust behavior between the oxytocin and placebo groups. 3. **No General Increase in Risk Taking**: Oxytocin did not increase the general aversion to risk or the willingness to take risks in social interactions. 4. **No Change in Reciprocity**: Oxytocin did not affect the trustees' willingness to reciprocate trust, suggesting that the effect is specific to the investors' behavior. 5. **No Change in Beliefs**: Investors' beliefs about the likelihood of a good outcome did not differ significantly between the oxytocin and placebo groups. The study suggests that oxytocin may play a crucial role in promoting prosocial approach behavior, particularly in overcoming social avoidance and enhancing trust in interpersonal interactions. This finding has implications for understanding and potentially treating social dysfunctions in humans, such as social phobia and autism.
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