title: A sniff of trust: meta-analysis of the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on face recognition, trust to in-group, and trust to out-group.
abstract: The neuropeptide oxytocin has a popular reputation of being the 'love' hormone. Here we test meta-analytically whether experiments with intranasal administration of oxytocin provide support for the proposed effects of oxytocin. Three psychological effects were subjected to meta-analysis: facial emotion recognition (13 effect sizes, N=408), in-group trust (8 effect sizes, N=317), and out-group trust (10 effect sizes; N=505). We found that intranasal oxytocin administration enhances the recognition of facial expressions of emotions, and that it elevates the level of in-group trust. The hypothesis that out-group trust is significantly decreased in the oxytocin condition was not supported. It is concluded that a sniff of oxytocin can change emotion perception and behavior in trusting relationships.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands. vanijzen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
authors.forename: Marinus H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Van IJzendoorn
authors.forename: Marian J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bakermans-Kranenburg
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin