Oxytocin increases the likeability of physically formidable men.

Area of Science:

• Social Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Physical size and strength are often perceived as indicators of dominance and threat.
• Oxytocin, a neuropeptide, plays a crucial role in modulating social behavior and reducing social anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if physical formidability cues negatively influence men's evaluations of male strangers.
• To determine if oxytocin administration affects these social evaluations.

Main Methods:

• A placebo-controlled, double-blind study involving 100 healthy males.
• Intranasal administration of either oxytocin (24 I.U.) or a placebo.
• Assessment of participants' responses to images of physically formidable versus non-formidable male peers.

Main Results:

• Participants receiving placebo showed dislike and avoidance towards the formidable male compared to the non-formidable male.
• Oxytocin administration selectively improved social evaluations of the formidable male peer.
• This provides the first evidence for oxytocin regulating social evaluation based on physical strength cues.

Conclusions:

• Oxytocin can mitigate negative social perceptions influenced by physical formidability.
• Oxytocin may facilitate social network expansion by promoting openness towards individuals perceived as potentially threatening.