Does Oxytocin Increase Trust and Empathy? The Evidence

Does oxytocin make people more trusting?

In a widely cited 2005 study, people given oxytocin entrusted more money to a stranger in an investment game. The result made oxytocin famous. But a later review of the research concluded the evidence for a reliable trust effect is weak, because several follow-up studies didn’t find the same result.

Does it improve empathy?

Empathy is hard to measure, so researchers often test related skills. In one study, a single dose of oxytocin improved men’s ability to infer what others were feeling from photos of their eyes, especially for harder items. Similar findings appeared in some studies of people with autism, though larger, longer trials were less encouraging.

Is oxytocin always “pro-social”?

No. In one set of experiments, oxytocin increased trust and cooperation toward people’s own group, along with defensiveness toward competing groups. In another, it increased envy and gloating during a game. The best current explanation is that oxytocin makes social information feel more important, which can amplify warm feelings or negative ones depending on the context.

What does this mean for relationships?

In a safe, close relationship, heightened attention to your partner may feel like more connection and openness. That’s consistent with a study in which couples given oxytocin communicated more positively during conflict. But oxytocin can’t create trust that isn’t there, and it isn’t a substitute for honesty, communication or, when needed, counseling. Read more about oxytocin and relationships.