TY - JOUR
T1 - When Two Become One
T2 - The Role of Oxytocin in Interpersonal Coordination and Cooperation
AU - Arueti, Maayan
AU - Perach-Barzilay, Nufar
AU - Tsoory, Michael M.
AU - Berger, Barry
AU - Getter, Nir
AU - Shamay-Tsoory, Simone G.
PY - 2013/1/1
Y1 - 2013/1/1
N2 - Cooperation involves intentional coordinated acts performed to achieve potentially positive outcomes. Here we present a novel explanatory model of cooperation, which focuses on the role of the oxytocinergic system in promoting interpersonal coordination and synchrony. Cooperation was assessed using a novel computerized drawing task that may be performed individually or cooperatively by two participants who coordinate their actions. Using a within-subject crossover design, 42 participants performed the task alone and with a partner following the administration of placebo and oxytocin 1 week apart. The data indicate that following placebo administration, participants performed better alone than in pairs. Yet, the administration of oxytocin improved paired performance up to the level of individual performance. This effect depended on the personality traits of cooperativeness or competitiveness. It is concluded that oxytocin may play a key role in enhancing social synchrony and coordination of behaviors required for cooperation.
AB - Cooperation involves intentional coordinated acts performed to achieve potentially positive outcomes. Here we present a novel explanatory model of cooperation, which focuses on the role of the oxytocinergic system in promoting interpersonal coordination and synchrony. Cooperation was assessed using a novel computerized drawing task that may be performed individually or cooperatively by two participants who coordinate their actions. Using a within-subject crossover design, 42 participants performed the task alone and with a partner following the administration of placebo and oxytocin 1 week apart. The data indicate that following placebo administration, participants performed better alone than in pairs. Yet, the administration of oxytocin improved paired performance up to the level of individual performance. This effect depended on the personality traits of cooperativeness or competitiveness. It is concluded that oxytocin may play a key role in enhancing social synchrony and coordination of behaviors required for cooperation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84880831239&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1162/jocn_a_00400
DO - 10.1162/jocn_a_00400
M3 - Article
C2 - 23574582
AN - SCOPUS:84880831239
SN - 0898-929X
VL - 25
SP - 1418
EP - 1427
JO - Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
JF - Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
IS - 9
ER -