The Influence of Intranasal Oxytocin on Communication
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Oxytocin
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Sponsor
- University of British Columbia
- Enrollment
- 50
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Communication Outcomes
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 7 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This study investigates whether oxytocin, a neuropeptide known for its role in social bonding, influences the outcomes of persuasive communications and several primary evolutionary goals. Participants will be given either oxytocin or placebo on their first visit and then they will receive the other spray during their second visit. At each visit, participants will engage in several psychosocial tasks to assess the role of oxytocin on receptiveness to opposing opinions, navigating the spatial environment, mating and parenting goals. Participants' attitudes and behaviours will be compared across the different conditions.
Detailed Description
Oxytocin is a naturally occurring hormone, commonly known for its role in social approach, bonding, and trust. The present study is designed to investigate whether and how oxytocin may affect communication outcomes--specifically, by influencing trust of people presenting opinions that participants disagree with. Healthy adult volunteers will intranasally administer 24 IU of oxytocin at one visit and placebo (saline) solution at another visit. Participants will then view photos of speakers presenting opinions on various socio-political issues which the participants disagree with. Participants will complete questions about their psychological reactions (e.g., anger, receptiveness) to the opinions presented. After reporting on their receptiveness to the opposing opinions, participants will begin the attentional tasks. In the attentional tasks, participants will be seated in front of a computer while an eyetracker records their eye movements and attentional gaze. First, participants will view two images presented simultaneously at either ends of the computer screen; each image pair will depict a a) baby and a food, b) baby and an attractive opposite sex target, or c) food and an attractive opposite sex target. Next, participants will view a series of images exclusively depicting one attractive opposite-sex target at a time; attentional bias away from faces and towards bodies (indicative of short-term mating interest; Bolmont, Cacioppo, \& Cacioppo, 2014) will be tracked. After each photograph has been viewed for a fixed duration, the participant will answer a question assessing their likelihood of engaging in a one-night stand with the person pictured. After this second part of the task, we will gather saliva samples via passive drool collection. These samples will be later assayed for testosterone. Next participants will complete a measure of visual attention in which they will identify target stimuli (e.g. letters) on a computer screen via keyboard press.
Investigators
Frances Chen
Dr. Frances Chen
University of British Columbia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Healthy adult volunteers
Exclusion Criteria
- •Currently have a diagnosed mental illness or are in psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment.
- •Are taking endocrinologically or psychoactive drugs (e.g. psychotropic drugs such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives, or sleeping pills)
- •Are taking anti-hypertensive drugs or drugs with QTc prolongation
- •Abuse drugs or alcohol
- •Suffer from any significant medical illness, such as heart disease/cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, endocrinological disorders, or neurological disorders.
- •Are not found to be physically healthy after a required prescreen questionnaire created by a doctor
- •Allergic to preservatives (e.g. paragons) found in nasal sprays
- •Pregnant/breastfeeding
- •Are currently involved in other clinical studies in which drugs are administered.
Arms & Interventions
Experimental
These participants will receive 24 international units (IU) of oxytocin via a nasal spray.
Intervention: Oxytocin
Control - Placebo
These participants will receive 24 international units (IU) of a saline solution via a nasal spray.
Intervention: Placebo
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Communication Outcomes
Time Frame: 60-90 minutes
Participants will answer a series of questions regarding their reactions (e.g., anger, receptiveness) to the speakers and the opinions presented in the photos. It is expected that when participants receive oxytocin they will be more receptive to opposing opinions compared to when they receive the placebo. Participants may also have differing levels of receptiveness depending on whether the person expressing the opinion comes from their ingroup or outgroup.
Secondary Outcomes
- Appetite(60-90 minutes)
- Short vs. Long-Term mating orientation(60-90 minutes)
- Peripheral narrowing of attention(60-90 minutes)