title: Exploring the role of intra-nasal oxytocin on the partner preference effect in humans.
abstract: Previous studies with prairie voles suggest that the hormone oxytocin is crucial for bond formation - indicated when a partner preference is formed towards the target vole. In this study, we conduct the first empirical test of whether oxytocin likewise promotes partner preferences in humans. Seventy-six undergraduate students received either oxytocin or placebo before being introduced to a male and female persona (via pre-recorded videoclips). One day later, participants were assessed for a partner preference towards the personae: across three situations, participants were asked to choose as company one of the personae they had been introduced to, or an opposite- or same-gendered person they had not been introduced to before; participants were additionally offered a choice to have no company. We found evidence suggesting oxytocin increases preference for persons introduced under the influence of oxytocin; however, this was not targeted at persons of the opposite-gender, and was found in only one aspect of social interaction (finding out more information about the person, but not in choice of company to work with or for a date). Taken together, our findings suggest that oxytocin might not promote human bond formation in ways analogous to prairie voles - that is, by inducing a partner preference effect.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. jean.lcj@duke-nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: Jean C J
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Guastella
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dadds
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin