OXYTOCIN AND MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIPS

Caitlyn KendrickNeha Verma Andrew DarvinVincent 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 relationships.  

The release of oxytocin is related to affiliative behaviors between members of a monogamous pair.  

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 partners

ImplicationsAmong humans, there is a correlation between

oxytocin and trust within interpersonal interactions

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 males

Implications Oxytocin is important in the formation of a

monogamous pair bond Oxytocin can be thought of as a “building block”

for a monogamous relationshipPicture from: http://thenewaquaristfish.blogspot.com/

VOLES EXPERIMENTS Hypothesis: Varying density of oxytocin receptors

in certain areas of brain impact partner preference formation Focused on Nucleus Accumbens Prairie Voles-6 hour/12 hour cohabitation periods Meadow Voles-24 hour/48 hour cohabitation periods Three-Chambered Apparatus

Findings: 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.htm

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 tamarins Correlation between partners

Implications The higher levels in monogamous partners could

explain happiness Better in tune to partners needs Good relationships mean higher oxytocin and vice

versa Picture from: http://pixdaus.com/single.php?id=61836

CONCLUSION There is a correlation between oxytocin

levels/oxytocin receptor levels and behavior and trust, as demonstrated in the experiments studied High 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