Hormones and Cognitive Explanation of Interpersonal Relationships

Hormones

Chemical messengers that enable long-range transmission of signals

Oxytocin

Known for its role in social interaction, sexual reproduction and trust

Baumgartner Study

Aim: to investigate role of oxytocin following breaches of trust

Procedure: 49 participants placed in fMRI scanner. Participants received either an oxytocin spray or placebo. Played a trust game where the investor receives a sum of money and must decide to keep it or share it with trustee (other participant). If sun is shared then sum is tripled then player 2 must repeat process

Results: participants in placebo group were more likely to decrease their rate of trust after that have been briefed and their trust had been broken. Participants in oxytocin group continued to invest at similar rates

Investment Model of Commitment

Created to explain why people remain in relationships or break up