Oxytocin may shape the content of the social sharing of emotions
(2012) 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society — Location: Prague, Czech Republic (21.August.2012)
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- Abstract
- Background Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that has both calming and bonding effects. Some of oxytocin’s effects are thought to be direct, but it has been suggested that oxytocin also may have indirect effects, mediated by changes in behavior. One potentially relevant behavioral change is an increased propensity for “emotional sharing” as this behavior, like oxytocin, is known to have both calming and bonding effects. Methods Participants received either oxytocin (n=30) or placebo (n=30) and then were instructed to retrieve a painful memory. Subsequently, oxytocin and placebo participants’ willingness to disclose to another person event-related facts (factual sharing) versus event-related emotions (emotional sharing) was evaluated. Findings Whereas both groups were equally willing to disclose event-related facts, oxytocin was found to increase the willingness to share event-related emotions. Discussion Findings suggest that oxytoxcin may shape the form of social sharing so as to maximize its benefits. This might help explain the calming and bonding effects of oxytocin.
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Lane, A., Luminet, O., & Mikolajczak, M. (2012). Oxytocin may shape the content of the social sharing of emotions. 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague, Czech Republic. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/202145