Cited by 321Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorFace Recognition and PerceptionOlfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Oxytocin improves specific recognition of positive facial expressions

Marsh, Abigail A., Yu, Henry H., Pine, Daniel S., Blair, R. J. R.·2010·Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Background Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is associated with increased trust. Perceptions of trustworthiness are associated with detection of positive facial affect, which suggests that oxytocin may enhance the recognition of positive facial affect. The present study tests this hypothesis.Methods A double-blind, between-groups design was used, with 50 volunteers randomly assigned to receive intranasally administered oxytocin or placebo. Thirty-five minutes following the administration of oxytocin or placebo, participants identified anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise expressions that were morphed with neutral faces such that they varied from 10% to 100% intensity.Results Oxytocin significantly and specifically improved the recognition of happy facial expressions; no significant differences in recognition of other expression were found. The improvement was not associated with gender, response biases, or changes in mood, and it was most pronounced for subtle expressions.Conclusions Acute oxytocin administration enhances healthy adults' ability to accurately identify positive emotional facial expressions. These findings reinforce oxytocin's role in facilitating affiliative interactions and have implications for the treatment of conditions that are marked by social affiliation deficits.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00213-010-1780-4

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Authors
Marsh, A. A., Yu, H. H., Pine, D. S., & Blair, R. J. R.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Marsh, Abigail A.
Venue
Psychopharmacology
Published
2010-02-26
Volume
209
Issue
3
Pages
225-232
ISSN
  • 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-2072
OpenAlex
W1971319935
Cited by
321
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 54 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 31
FWCI
36.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Keywords
oxytocin, facial expression recognition, positive emotional expression, happiness, trust, social affiliation, emotion perception, gender differences
MeSH terms
Administration, Intranasal, Adult, Affect, Blood Pressure, Facial Expression, Female, Humans, Male, Oxytocin, Pattern Recognition, Visual, Sex Characteristics

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