Oxytocin study finds hormone increases trust in specific men

A new study involving the University of Zurich provides evidence that the hormone oxytocin selectively increases trust in men who otherwise exhibit low levels of trust readiness.

While research into oxytocin's impact on social interaction and trust has been controversial for over 20 years, previous studies often yielded inconsistent results due to small sample sizes and methodological differences. This international study, involving researchers from the University of Zurich, the University of Magdeburg, and the University of Antwerp, focused on 359 men identified as having low trust tendencies.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either oxytocin or a placebo before participating in an anonymous trust game, where they decided how much money to entrust to an unknown person. The findings suggest that the hormone's effect is not universal but is specifically effective for individuals with lower baseline trust.