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Cited by 269Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAttachment and Relationship DynamicsEvolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

Attachment, aggression and affiliation: the role of oxytocin in female social behavior

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Campbell, Anne·2008·Biological Psychology
DOI 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.001
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Abstract

The peptide hormones oxytocin and vasopressin have been implicated in a range of mammalian social behaviors including maternal care, pair bonding and affiliation. Oxytocin is of special relevance to female behavior because its effects are strongly modulated by estrogen. This article reviews animal and human research and is organised in terms of two research perspectives. The specific attachment model identifies oxytocin as orchestrating special bonds with offspring and mates, including the use of aggression in the protection of these relationships. The trait affiliation model considers oxytocin in relation to the trait of general social motivation that varies between and within species. Implications for understanding and researching the role of oxytocin in women's attachment, affiliation and aggression are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.001

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  • The association between endogenous oxytocin and prosociality may not be a direct linear association but may depend upon context.

    “However, the association between endogenous oxytocin and prosociality may not be a direct linear association but may depend upon context.”

    From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Campbell, 2008

  • Increased endogenous oxytocin levels within the parent-infant relationship promote affiliative and nurturant behaviors such as tend-befriend behavior, but in in-group vs. out-group interactions, oxytocin supports affiliative tend-defend motivations and behavior.

    “For example, increased endogenous oxytocin levels within the parent-infant relationship promote affiliative and nurturant behaviors such as tend-befriend behavior but when engaged in in-group vs. out-group interactions, oxytocin supports affiliative tend-defend motivations and behavior (Taylor et al., 2006; Campbell, 2008; Crockford et al., 2014).”

    From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Campbell, 2008

  • Interactions between oxytocin and other hormonal/neurotransmitter systems may account for different behavioral and motivational states associated with high oxytocin levels in both animal and human studies.

    “Such interactions may account for different behavioral and motivational states associated with high oxytocin levels in both animal and human studies, for example, relaxed parent-infant interactions that engender affiliative and nurturant—“tend-and-befriend”—motivations, compared with in-group vs. out-group interactions that engender more affiliative and defensive—“tend-and-defend” motivations (”

    From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Campbell, 2008

  • OT can positively influence prosocial behavior by linking approach behavior to the capacity to experience reward from social interaction.

    “it has been suggested that OT can positively influence prosocial behavior by linking approach behavior to the capacity to experience reward from social interaction (Insel, 2003;Campbell, 2008).”

    From The effect of oxytocin on cooperation in a prisoner's dilemma depends on the social context and a person's social value orientation (2014) · cites this paper as Campbell, 2008

  • Oxytocin enhances nurturing and reduces maternal aggression towards rat pups.

    “For instance, oxytocin enhances nurturing and reduces maternal aggression towards rat pups.”

    From Oxytocin enhances pupil dilation and sensitivity to 'hidden' emotional expressions (2013) · cites this paper as Campbell, 2008

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Authors
Campbell, A.
Affiliations
Durham University (GB)
Corresponding author
Campbell, Anne
Venue
Biological Psychology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-01
Volume
77
Issue
1
Pages
1-10
ISSN
0301-0511 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.001
OpenAlex
W2069020404
Cited by
269
References
100
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 24
FWCI
2.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Biological Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Durham Research Online (Durham University) (acceptedVersion)
  • Durham Research Online (Durham University) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
Keywords
oxytocin, vasopressin, female social behavior, attachment, aggression, affiliation, social motivation, estrogen modulation, maternal care, pair bonding, women's conduct
MeSH terms
Aggression, Animals, Female, Humans, Maternal Behavior, Object Attachment, Oxytocin, Social Behavior

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