Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
Oxytocin promotes altruistic punishment
Gökhan Aydogan1, Nadja C Furtner2, Bianca Kern2
1Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
Intranasal oxytocin amplifies negative emotions towards free-riders, increasing punishment in social dilemmas. This neuromodulator enhances norm enforcement and cooperation, even for selfish individuals, when punishment is an option.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Neuromodulators' role in cooperation enforcement is unclear.
- Oxytocin modulates social behavior but its effect on norm enforcement is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of intranasal oxytocin on sanctioning behavior in social dilemmas.
- To explore oxytocin's influence on negative social emotions and cooperation.
Main Methods:
- Participants received intranasal oxytocin or placebo.
- A social dilemma game was used to assess punishment of free-riders.
- Self-reported negative social emotions were measured.
Main Results:
- Oxytocin treatment increased anger towards free-riders.
- Participants receiving oxytocin exhibited higher frequency and magnitude of punishment.
- Oxytocin enhanced cooperation preference when punishment was available.
Conclusions:
- Oxytocin amplifies negative emotions and punishment of free-riders, enhancing norm enforcement.
- The oxytocinergic system targets neural circuits of altruistic punishment.
- Neuromodulators are crucial for group cohesion and social norm enforcement.
More Related Videos
09:12Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding
Published on: November 14, 2018
09:29Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Altruism
Egoism and Altruism
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Milgram's Obedience to Authority
Punishment
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior....
Inclusive Fitness