Cited by 365Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorFace Recognition and PerceptionOlfactory and Sensory Function Studies

A sniff of trust: Meta-analysis of the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on face recognition, trust to in-group, and trust to out-group

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Van IJzendoorn, Marinus H., Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J.·2012·Psychoneuroendocrinology

Abstract

The neuropeptide oxytocin has a popular reputation of being the 'love' hormone. Here we test meta-analytically whether experiments with intranasal administration of oxytocin provide support for the proposed effects of oxytocin. Three psychological effects were subjected to meta-analysis: facial emotion recognition (13 effect sizes, N=408), in-group trust (8 effect sizes, N=317), and out-group trust (10 effect sizes; N=505). We found that intranasal oxytocin administration enhances the recognition of facial expressions of emotions, and that it elevates the level of in-group trust. The hypothesis that out-group trust is significantly decreased in the oxytocin condition was not supported. It is concluded that a sniff of oxytocin can change emotion perception and behavior in trusting relationships.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.07.008

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  • Three meta-analyses of the effects of intranasal oxytocin on human behavior have been published to date.

    “To date three meta-analyses of the effects of IN-OT on human behavior have been published.”

    From Statistical and Methodological Considerations for the Interpretation of Intranasal Oxytocin Studies (2016) · cites this paper as [9]

    The Method section (page unavailable) says this paper reports three meta-analyses of intranasal oxytocin’s effects on face recognition, in-group trust, and out-group trust. It does not establish that these were the only three meta-analyses published to date; the three analyses are reported in this one paper. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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  • These meta-analyses yielded summarized effect sizes ranging from d=0.21 to d=0.48.

    “These studies yielded summarized effect sizes ranging from d=0.21 to d=0.48.”
  • Van IJzendoorn and Bakersmans-Kranenburg investigated the effect of intranasal oxytocin on facial emotion recognition, trust to in-group, and trust to out-group.

    “Van IJzendoorn and Bakersmans-Kranenburg investigated the effect of IN-OT on facial emotion recognition (13 effect sizes, total N = 408), trust to in-group (8 effect sizes, total N = 317) and trust to out-group (10 effect sizes, total N = 505) (9).”
  • The meta-analyses mentioned in this paper all tested for evidence of publication bias in the intranasal oxytocin literature, with mixed results.

    “The meta-analyses mentioned in this paper all tested for evidence of publication bias in the IN-OT literature, with mixed results (9–11).”
  • None of these findings demonstrate that elevated oxytocin levels in humans directly induce greater feelings of love or interpersonal attachment, whether in the maternal-infant or adult-romantic case.

    “While none of these findings demonstrate that elevated oxytocin levels in humans directly induce greater feelings of love or interpersonal attachment—whether in the maternal-infant or adult-romantic case [45]—they do point to a clear association between oxytocin and attachment that seems to mirror what has been observed in other species.”

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Authors
Van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J.
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-03
Volume
37
Issue
3
Pages
438-443
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1973561392
Cited by
365
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 19
FWCI
4.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (453-09-003)
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, intranasal administration, face recognition (cognition), facial emotion recognition, trust, in-group trust, outgroup trust, social cognition, neuropeptides
MeSH terms
Administration, Intranasal, Clinical Trials as Topic, Emotions, Facial Expression, Female, Humans, Male, Oxytocin, Peer Group, Photic Stimulation, Sex Characteristics, Time Factors, Visual Perception, Recognition, Psychology, Trust

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