Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Observational Fear as a Model of Affective Empathy in Mice
04:14

Observational Fear as a Model of Affective Empathy in Mice

Published on: November 22, 2024

719

The pandemic should catalyze research on social pain: Examining oxytocin administration studies

Benjamin A Tabak1

  • 1Southern Methodist University, USA.

Biological Psychology
|March 19, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Researchers explored oxytocin to reduce social pain from rejection. This commentary examines intranasal oxytocin

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Social Psychology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Social pain from loss, rejection, or isolation is a significant human experience.
  • Identifying pharmacological interventions for social pain is a long-standing research goal.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the effects of intranasal oxytocin on experimentally induced social exclusion.
  • To propose future research directions for understanding the neurobiology of social pain.

Main Methods:

  • Review and commentary on existing research regarding intranasal oxytocin.
  • Analysis of studies involving experimental social exclusion paradigms.

Main Results:

  • Intranasal oxytocin has been investigated for its potential to alleviate social pain.
  • The neurobiological mechanisms linking oxytocin to social pain processing require further elucidation.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to clarify oxytocin's role in mitigating social pain.
  • Understanding the neurobiology of social pain can inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
AdministrationCyberballExclusionIntranasalOxytocinSocial pain

More Related Videos

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents07:30

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents

Published on: June 10, 2013

25.0K
Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice07:08

Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: September 29, 2021

3.3K

Related Concept Videos

Social Relationships and Well-Being01:30

Social Relationships and Well-Being

The significance of social relationships in psychological well-being is a well-established area of inquiry within social psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of meaningful, supportive relationships enhances emotional health, while the absence or deterioration of such connections can contribute to psychological distress. Relationships serve as a foundation for emotional support, identity, and social belonging, all of which are critical to an individual’s overall...
17
Social Facilitation01:04

Social Facilitation

Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
33.4K
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
856
Empathy02:34

Empathy

Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor. 
9.7K
Role of Emotions in Social Life01:01

Role of Emotions in Social Life

Emotions play a fundamental role in shaping human experience and interactions. The absence of emotions would render life incomplete and fail to capture the essence of human nature. In social psychology, feelings and moods have been extensively studied due to their profound impact on social life and interpersonal relationships. These affective states influence decision-making, behavior, and social perceptions, making them integral to understanding human interactions.Emotions and Social...
33
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
134