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Updated: May 16, 2026
06:18
The Collective Trust Game: An Online Group Adaptation of the Trust Game Based on the HoneyComb Paradigm
Published on: October 20, 2022
U-shaped relation between plasma oxytocin levels and behavior in the trust game
Songfa Zhong1, Mikhail Monakhov, Helen P Mok
1Department of Economics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Plos One
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Higher and lower levels of oxytocin (the full term for OT) correlate with increased trust and trustworthiness in males. This suggests oxytocin levels can predict social behaviors in economic games.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Economics
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Trust is fundamental to social and economic interactions.
- The Trust Game is a key experimental tool for studying trust.
- Oxytocin (OT) is implicated as a social hormone influencing trust.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if baseline plasma oxytocin levels predict trust and trustworthiness.
- To explore the relationship between oxytocin and social behavior in a large cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Trust Game in an experimental economics setting.
- Measured baseline plasma oxytocin levels in 1,158 participants.
- Analyzed the correlation between plasma oxytocin and trust/trustworthiness behaviors.
Main Results:
- A significant U-shaped relationship was found between plasma oxytocin and trust levels.
- A marginal U-shaped relationship was observed between plasma oxytocin and trustworthiness, particularly in males.
- Individuals with extreme oxytocin levels exhibited higher trust and trustworthiness.
Conclusions:
- Baseline plasma oxytocin levels partially predict trust and trustworthiness.
- Peripheral oxytocin measurements are useful biomarkers for human social behavior.
- Findings deepen the understanding of the biological underpinnings of human trust.
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