The neuropeptide oxytocin regulates parochial altruism in intergroup conflict among humans.
Humans regulate intergroup conflict through parochial altruism; they self-sacrifice to contribute to in-group welfare and to aggress against competing out-groups. Parochial altruism has distinct survival functions, and the brain may have evolved to sustain and promote in-group cohesion and effectiveness and to ward off threatening out-groups. Here, we have linked oxytocin, a neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus, to the regulation of intergroup conflict. In three experiments using double-blind placebo-controlled designs, male participants self-administered oxytocin or placebo and made decisions with financial consequences to themselves, their in-group, and a competing out-group. Results showed that oxytocin drives a "tend and defend" response in that it promoted in-group trust and cooperation, and defensive, but not offensive, aggression toward competing out-groups.
Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 15, 1018 WB Amsterdam, Netherlands. c.k.w.dedreu@uva.nl
Carsten K W
CK
De Dreu
Lindred L
LL
Greer
Michel J J
MJ
Handgraaf
Shaul
S
Shalvi
Gerben A
GA
Van Kleef
Matthijs
M
Baas
Femke S
FS
Ten Velden
Eric
E
Van Dijk
Sander W W
SW
Feith
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000533:Altruism; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005716:Game Theory; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035502:Trust; D055815:Young Adult
D010121:Oxytocin