The neuropeptide oxytocin, psychology homework help

The neuropeptide oxytocin is released by the hypothalamus, in the limbic system of the brain, and it promotes various aspects of social behavior in both females and males related to reproduction and maintenance of maternal behavior in lactation. However, according to Lukas, Toth, Reber, Slattery, Veenema, and Neumann (2011), both animal and human studies indicate that oxytocin also has a facilitating role in a variety of other social interactions.

Kosfeld, Heinrichs, Zak, Fischbacher, and Fehr (2005) show that intranasal administration of oxytocin causes a substantial increase in trust among humans. Trust in others greatly increases the benefits of social interactions. Kosfeld et al. (2005) also show that the effect of oxytocin on trust is not due to a general increase in the readiness to bear risks. Instead, oxytocin specifically affects an individual’s willingness to accept social risks arising through interpersonal interactions (Kosfeld et al, 2005). These results concur with animal research suggesting an essential role for oxytocin as a biological basis for prosocial behavior (Kosfeld et al, 2005).

Thus, the above knowledge may be used to administer such intranasal oxytocin to promote prosocial behaviors in people who may exhibit deficits in interpersonal relations and trust. Also it would be interesting to study whether such interpersonal interactions, prosocial, and trusting behavior stimulates oxytocin production, since it works vice versa.

Please answer the above question using 150-250 word response. No references are needed.