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Attachment, aggression and affiliation: The role of oxytocin in female social behavior
Open accessAbstract
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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“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
In the citing paper
“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
In the citing paper
“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
In the citing paper
“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
In the citing paper
“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
In the citing paper
“Interestingly, it also enhances maternal aggression towards potential threats (Campbell, 2008).”
From Oxytocin enhances pupil dilation and sensitivity to 'hidden' emotional expressions (2013) · cites this paper as Campbell, 2008
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Metadata
- 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)
- 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
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › 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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