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Brief Communications

The Neuropeptide Oxytocin Induces a Social Altruism Bias

Nina Marsh, Dirk Scheele, Holger Gerhardt, Sabrina Strang, Laura Enax, Bernd Weber, Wolfgang Maier and René Hurlemann
Journal of Neuroscience 25 November 2015, 35 (47) 15696-15701; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3199-15.2015
Nina Marsh
1Departments of Psychiatry and
3Division of Medical Psychology, University of Bonn Medical Center, 53105 Bonn, Germany,
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Dirk Scheele
1Departments of Psychiatry and
3Division of Medical Psychology, University of Bonn Medical Center, 53105 Bonn, Germany,
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Holger Gerhardt
4Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany,
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Sabrina Strang
5Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany,
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Laura Enax
2Epileptology and
4Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany,
7Department of NeuroCognition/Imaging, Life and Brain Center, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Bernd Weber
2Epileptology and
4Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany,
7Department of NeuroCognition/Imaging, Life and Brain Center, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Wolfgang Maier
1Departments of Psychiatry and
6German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Helmholtz Association, 53175 Bonn, Germany, and
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René Hurlemann
1Departments of Psychiatry and
3Division of Medical Psychology, University of Bonn Medical Center, 53105 Bonn, Germany,
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Abstract

Current psychological concepts of social and ecological responsibility emphasize the relevance of altruism, suggesting that more altruistic individuals are more likely to engage in sustainable behaviors. Emerging evidence indicates a central role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in promoting altruism. Whether this influence extends to ecological responsibility or is limited to the social domain remains unknown. In two independent experiments involving 172 human participants, we addressed this question by exposing subjects to a sustainability-related monetary donation task, with the option to support either socially or ecologically framed charities. We found that oxytocin induced a context-dependent change in altruistic behavior away from pro-environmental toward pro-social donations, while keeping constant the overall proportion of donated money. This pro-social bias transcended to the domain of sustainable consumption. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that altruistic priorities vary as a function of oxytocin system activity, which has implications for the promotion of pro-environmental attitudes and eco-friendly behaviors.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Individual responses to ecological and social sustainability require a shift in personal priorities away from selfish to more altruistic behaviors. Emerging evidence indicates a central role of the hypothalamic peptide oxytocin in promoting altruism, but whether the influence of oxytocin benefits altruistic decision-making in the context of ecological and social sustainability is unclear. In two independent behavioral experiments involving 172 human subjects, we show that heightened oxytocin system activity induces a social altruism bias at the cost of ecological responsibility. Our results have fundamental implications for policy interventions and business strategies designed to sustain ecological resources by suggesting that a social framing may attract more individuals to engage in pro-environmental and eco-friendly behaviors.

  • altruism
  • decision-making
  • oxytocin
  • sustainability
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The Journal of Neuroscience: 35 (47)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 35, Issue 47
25 Nov 2015
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The Neuropeptide Oxytocin Induces a Social Altruism Bias
Nina Marsh, Dirk Scheele, Holger Gerhardt, Sabrina Strang, Laura Enax, Bernd Weber, Wolfgang Maier, René Hurlemann
Journal of Neuroscience 25 November 2015, 35 (47) 15696-15701; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3199-15.2015

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The Neuropeptide Oxytocin Induces a Social Altruism Bias
Nina Marsh, Dirk Scheele, Holger Gerhardt, Sabrina Strang, Laura Enax, Bernd Weber, Wolfgang Maier, René Hurlemann
Journal of Neuroscience 25 November 2015, 35 (47) 15696-15701; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3199-15.2015
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Keywords

  • altruism
  • decision-making
  • oxytocin
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