Caitlyn Kendrick Neha Verma Andrew Darvin Vincent Abiona What is Oxytocin Oxytocin is a hormone released from the posterior pituitary gland Oxytocin plays an important role in the formation of monogamous relationships as well as in the levels of trust and attachment within these ID: 345866
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Slide1
Oxytocin and Monogamous Relationships
Caitlyn Kendrick
Neha
Verma
Andrew
Darvin
Vincent
AbionaSlide2
What is Oxytocin?
Oxytocin is a hormone released from the posterior pituitary gland
Oxytocin plays an important role in the formation of monogamous relationships, as well as in the levels of trust and attachment within these relationships.
The release of oxytocin is related to affiliative behaviors between members of a monogamous pair. Slide3
Investor Game
Experiment
Experimental group received intranasal dose of oxytocin, while control group received placebo
Measured trust through an investing game
Results
Members of experimental group were more likely to trust their investing partnersImplicationsAmong humans, there is a correlation between oxytocin and trust within interpersonal interactionsSlide4
CICHLID FISH
Experiment
Treated males with oxytocin receptor antagonist during pair bond formation
Observed: Affiliative behavior toward mate; Aggression toward neighbors
Results
Affiliative behavior toward mate and aggression toward neighbors were reduced in experimental malesImplicationsOxytocin is important in the formation of a monogamous pair bondOxytocin can be thought of as a “building block” for a monogamous relationship
Picture from:
http://thenewaquaristfish.blogspot.com/Slide5
Voles Experiments
Hypothesis: Varying density of
oxytocin
receptors in certain areas of brain impact partner preference formation
Focused on Nucleus
AccumbensPrairie Voles-6 hour/12 hour cohabitation periodsMeadow Voles-24 hour/48 hour cohabitation periodsThree-Chambered ApparatusFindings:Prairie Voles-Significantly more pair bonding after 12 hour cohabitation
Meadow Voles-No significant differences in pair bonding
Implications:
Oxytocin and receptor density play role in partner preference formation, but are not only factors
Picture from:
http://www.anxietyinsights.info/how_stress_flips_the_brain_between_desire_and_dread.htmSlide6
Tamarins Monogamous Relationships
Experiment
Test tamarins urine to measure oxytocin levels
Observed affiliative behaviors
Results
The tamarins in a monogamous relationship had higher oxytocin levels than polygamous tamarinsCorrelation between partnersImplicationsThe higher levels in monogamous partners could explain happinessBetter in tune to partners needsGood relationships mean higher oxytocin and vice versa
Picture from:
http://pixdaus.com/single.php?id=61836Slide7
Conclusion
There is a correlation between oxytocin
levels/oxytocin
receptor levels
and
behavior and trust, as demonstrated in the experiments studiedHigh levels of oxytocin and receptors correlated with more trust and partner preference formation Lower levels of oxytocin were connected to less trust and polygamous relationships