Genes, brains and mammalian social bonds
Abstract
Recent studies of monogamous species have revealed the role of the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin in activating reward mechanisms of the brain that are involved in establishing partner recognition and selective 'bonding'. The evolutionary history of these findings resides, at a mechanistic level, in the reciprocal bonding between mother and infant that is common to all mammals. However, in Old World primates, where mother and infant alone would not survive, living in large social groups brings extended family relationships and provides for alloparenting. This has required the emancipation of parenting behaviour from the constraints of hormonal state and the evolution of large brains for decision making that was previously restricted and determined by hormonal state. How this has been achieved, what conserved mechanisms underpin social bonding, and what genetic and mechanistic changes have occurred in the evolution of social bonds are the issues addressed here.
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Sharers may experience a mutual increase in positive attitude, resulting in the promotion of stronger social bonds and longer-term benefits of more frequent cooperation.
“Also, as oxytocin is thought to act on positive feedback circuits [16,17,21], sharers may experience a mutual increase in positive attitude [15,79,80], resulting in the promotion of stronger social bonds and longer-term benefits of more frequent cooperation [23,26,80].”
From Food sharing is linked to urinary oxytocin levels and bonding in related and unrelated wild chimpanzees (2014) · cites this paper as [17]
Comparative study can show the processes by which competing behavioral and physiological demands on common neural systems interact and constrain each other during evolution.
“Comparative study can show the processes by which competing behavioral and physiological demands on common neural systems interact and constrain each other during evolution (Curley and Keverne, 2005; Goodson and Thompson, 2010).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Curley and Keverne, 2005
Interactions of the oxytocinergic system with behavior, social environment, and endocrinological environment may be more nuanced in primates than rodents.
“Research indicates that interactions of the oxytocinergic system with behavior, social environment, and endocrinological environment may be more nuanced in primates than rodents (Curley and Keverne, 2005).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Curley and Keverne, 2005
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- Authors
- Curley, J. P., & Keverne, E. B.
- Affiliations
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Curley, James P.
- ORCID
- Curley, James P.
- Venue
- Trends in Ecology & Evolution
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-10
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 561-567
- ISSN
- 0169-5347 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2146595914
- Cited by
- 214
- References
- 79
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 0.76
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Ecology & Evolution (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Leverhulme Trust
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Keywords
- social bonding, oxytocin, vasopressin, neuropeptides, monogamy, partner identification, maternal-infant bonding, alloparenting, primate social evolution, brain evolution, reward processing, hormonal status, extended family, Old World primates
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