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Acute intranasal oxytocin improves positive self-perceptions of personality.

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2012 Apr;220(4):741-9

Authors: Cardoso C, Ellenbogen MA, Linnen AM

Abstract

RATIONALE: Research suggests the experimental manipulation of oxytocin facilitates positive interactions, cooperation, and trust. The mechanism by which oxytocin influences social behavior is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE: We explored the hypothesis that oxytocin alters how people perceive themselves, which could be one mechanism by which oxytocin promotes prosocial behavior.

METHOD: In a between-subject, randomized, and double-blind experiment, 100 university students received a 24 I.U. dose of intranasal oxytocin or placebo, and then completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and other self-report measures 90 min later.

RESULTS: Intranasal oxytocin increased ratings of NEO-PI-R extraversion and openness to experiences [F(1,98)?=?4.910, p?=?.025, partial ? (2)?=?.05; F(1,98)?=?6.021, p?=?.016, partial ? (2)?=?.06], particularly for the following facets: positive emotions (d?=?0.48, p?<?.05), warmth (d?=?0.47, p?<?.05), openness to values (d?=?0.45, p?<?.05) and ideas (d?=?0.40, p?<?.05), trust (d?=?0.44, p?<?.05), and altruism (d?=?0.40, p?<?.05). Oxytocin had no influence on ratings of negative emotionality, conscientiousness, rejection sensitivity, depression, worry, self-esteem, and perceived social support.

CONCLUSION: The administration of oxytocin improved participants' self-perceptions of their personality, at least for certain traits important for social affiliation. Increased positive self-referential processing may be one mechanism by which oxytocin promotes positive social behaviors.

PMID: 22012170 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]