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Oxytocin regulates social approach.
Daniela Cohen1, Simone G Shamay-Tsoory1
1a Department of Psychology , University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel.
Social Neuroscience
|December 16, 2017
Summary
Oxytocin (OT) influences social approach behaviors. This study found that OT administration increased active social approach, especially towards strangers, highlighting its role in regulating interpersonal space.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Social Behavior
Background:
- Interpersonal space is the physical distance individuals maintain.
- Social creatures actively approach others, with space preferences varying by relationship.
- Oxytocin (OT) is a hormone implicated in social behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of oxytocin (OT) in regulating active social interpersonal space preferences.
- To test the hypothesis that OT administration increases active approach behavior.
- To examine approach behaviors towards both friends and strangers after OT administration.
Main Methods:
- Participants received intranasal oxytocin (OT) or placebo.
- Active approach behaviors towards familiar (friends) and unfamiliar (strangers) individuals were measured.
- Statistical analyses were used to compare approach behaviors between conditions.
Main Results:
- Oxytocin (OT) administration significantly increased active social approach.
- This increase in approach was more pronounced towards strangers compared to friends.
- Results align with social salience and anxiety reduction hypotheses.
Conclusions:
- The oxytocin (OT) system plays a crucial role in modulating social approach.
- OT's effect on social approach is context-dependent, particularly influenced by the familiarity of the protagonist.
- Findings suggest OT facilitates approach to novel social partners, potentially by reducing social anxiety.
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