Abstract
Rationale
Research suggests the experimental manipulation of oxytocin facilitates positive interactions, cooperation, and trust. The mechanism by which oxytocin influences social behavior is not well understood.
Objective
We explored the hypothesis that oxytocin alters how people perceive themselves, which could be one mechanism by which oxytocin promotes prosocial behavior.
Method
In a between-subject, randomized, and double-blind experiment, 100 university students received a 24 I.U. dose of intranasal oxytocin or placebo, and then completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and other self-report measures 90 min later.
Results
Intranasal oxytocin increased ratings of NEO-PI-R extraversion and openness to experiences [F(1,98) = 4.910, p = .025, partial η 2 = .05; F(1,98) = 6.021, p = .016, partial η 2 = .06], particularly for the following facets: positive emotions (d = 0.48, p < .05), warmth (d = 0.47, p < .05), openness to values (d = 0.45, p < .05) and ideas (d = 0.40, p < .05), trust (d = 0.44, p < .05), and altruism (d = 0.40, p < .05). Oxytocin had no influence on ratings of negative emotionality, conscientiousness, rejection sensitivity, depression, worry, self-esteem, and perceived social support.
Conclusion
The administration of oxytocin improved participants’ self-perceptions of their personality, at least for certain traits important for social affiliation. Increased positive self-referential processing may be one mechanism by which oxytocin promotes positive social behaviors.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by grants to Dr. Ellenbogen from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canada Research Chair program (supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada). Christopher Cardoso is supported by a scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
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Cardoso, C., Ellenbogen, M.A. & Linnen, AM. Acute intranasal oxytocin improves positive self-perceptions of personality. Psychopharmacology 220, 741–749 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2527-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2527-6