Citation

Reyes TL, Mateo JM. J. Soc. Evol. Cult. Psychol. 2008; 2(4, Spec Iss): 234-246.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Northeastern Evolutionary Psychology Society, Publisher American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Animal models have shown oxytocin to be causally associated with parental and alloparental investment, and effects of administered oxytocin in humans suggest it is also associated with cooperative behaviors directed at adult non-kin. Oxytocin appears to mediate cooperative behaviors by acting on the HPA axis to reduce anxiety, allowing for the expression of approach and helping behaviors. An observational study of 44 young adult males in St. Petersburg, Russia, found no association between circulating basal endocrine measures (oxytocin, cortisol, and testosterone) and prosocial behaviors measured by self-report altruism and empathy scales. Frequency of helping behavior and emotional empathy scores were significantly correlated. The study did find emotional empathy significantly associated with fatherhood, and helping behavior significantly associated with marital status, suggesting that affiliative and helping behaviors are expressed through similar pathways. Testosterone varied significantly between ethnic and non-ethnic Russians, but did not vary with marital status or presence of children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)