Social effects of oxytocin in humans: context and person matter.

TitleSocial effects of oxytocin in humans: context and person matter.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsBartz, Jennifer A., Jamil Zaki, Niall Bolger, and Kevin N. Ochsner
PubMed ID21696997
Grant ListHD065276-01 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States

Building on animal research, the past decade has witnessed a surge of interest in the effects of oxytocin on social cognition and prosocial behavior in humans. This work has generated considerable excitement about identifying the neurochemical underpinnings of sociality in humans, and discovering compounds to treat social functioning deficits. Inspection of the literature, however, reveals that the effects of oxytocin in the social domain are often weak and/or inconsistent. We propose that this literature can be informed by an interactionist approach in which the effects of oxytocin are constrained by features of situations and/or individuals. We show how this approach can improve understanding of extant research, suggest novel mechanisms through which oxytocin might operate, and refine predictions about oxytocin pharmacotherapy.

Title Social effects of oxytocin in humans: context and person matter.
Publication Title Trends Cogn Sci
Publication Type Journal Article
Published Year 2011
Authors J.A. Bartz; J. Zaki; N. Bolger; K.N. Ochsner
ISSN Number 1879-307X
PubMed ID 21696997
Grant List
HD065276-01 HD NICHD NIH HHS United States

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