Oxytocin receptor gene variation predicts empathic concern and autonomic arousal while perceiving harm to others
Open accessAbstract
Recent research indicates that the neuropeptide oxytocin and the gene for the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) have been implicated in the modulation of various social behaviors, including those related to empathy and sensitivity to others. In this study, we examine the hypothesis that genetic variation in OXTR is associated with autonomic reactions when perceiving others in distress. We also explore the possibility that individual disposition in empathic concern would differ by OXTR genotype. To address these questions, 51 male participants (18-35 years of age), genotyped for OXTR rs53576, viewed a social interaction containing high levels of individual distress and apparent physical pain. Electrodermal activity, a measure of sympathetic nervous system activity, was collected during the presentation of the stimuli. Participants also completed a self-report dispositional measure of empathy prior to starting the study and provided ratings of arousal while viewing the stimuli. OXTR variant rs53576 GG individuals showed increased levels of sympathetic and subjective arousal in response to the stimuli compared to A allele carriers. GG homozygotes also expressed greater levels of empathic concern. These findings support the importance of the oxytocin receptor variation in emotional and physiological reactions to the affective experiences of other conspecifics.
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Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
In 51 male participants, OXTR rs53576 GG homozygotes showed greater dispositional empathic concern and higher sympathetic and subjective arousal while viewing an MMA fight than A allele carriers. The findings support a role for oxytocin receptor variation in emotional and physiological reactions to others’ distress, though the study has notable sample and design limitations.
Key findings
- Empathic concern was the only IRI factor showing a significant genotype difference: GG participants scored higher than A allele carriers (GG: mean = 20.96, SD = 4.894; A carriers: mean = 17.89, SD = 3.935; t(49) = −2.480, p = .017).
- GG individuals showed increased electrodermal activity while viewing the fight compared with A allele carriers (significant main effect of genotype: F(1,26) = 5.838, p = .023). Baseline EDA did not differ between groups, but by the end of the fight GG had higher EDA (GG: mean = 0.06, SD = 0.03; AA/AG: mean = 0.05, SD = 0.02; t = −2.427, p = .03).
- GG individuals reported higher subjective arousal during the fight than A allele carriers (F(1,45) = 7.259, p = .010), with a trend toward a genotype-by-time interaction (F(4,45) = 2.078, p = .062).
- Dispositional empathic concern was not significantly related to changes in EDA or subjective arousal across rounds.
Methods
- Fifty-one males aged 18–35 of mixed race were recruited from the Chicago area, genotyped for OXTR rs53576, and completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) before viewing a 28-minute, five-round Mixed Martial Arts fight.
- Genotype distribution was 27 G/G (48.2%), 21 A/G (37.5%), and 8 A/A (14.3%), consistent with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (χ² = 1.3, df = 2, p = 0.52); A/A and A/G were combined as A allele carriers.
- Electrodermal activity was recorded during the fight, subjective arousal was rated after each round, and analyses used independent-sample t-tests, repeated-measures ANOVAs, and regressions/simple slope analyses; recording artifacts left 28 participants with complete SCR data.
Limitations
- The paper states a small EDA sample (n = 28), a multiethnic sample despite evidence that OXTR allele frequencies and behavioral correlates vary across ethnicities, reliance on self-report empathy rather than direct empathic responses to the stimuli, evaluation of only one OXTR SNP, use of an MMA fight that includes violent competition as well as pain/distress, and a male-only sample.
- The paper also notes that the lack of relationship between dispositional empathic concern and arousal might be clarified by measuring empathy and empathic concern specifically toward the fighters during the stimuli.
- Evident from the text: the overall sample was modest (51 participants), genotype groups were uneven, and the EDA analysis excluded many participants, limiting statistical power and generalizability.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
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Claims the paper makes
0 of 36 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingown data
OXTR rs53576 GG genotype individuals had higher self-reported subjective arousal during the fight than A allele carriers.
“There was a significant main effect by genotype for arousal ratings (F(1, 45 = 7.259, p = 0.010), indicating that participants with the GG genotype had higher levels of reported arousal during the fight than A allele carriers.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
OXTR rs53576 GG genotype individuals had increased electrodermal activity (sympathetic arousal) while viewing the fight compared to A allele carriers.
“Individuals with the GG genotype had increased EDA while viewing the fight, indicative of increased sympathetic arousal, compared to those carrying an A allele (Figure 2).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Viewing the fight increased electrodermal activity across subjects.
“There was a significant main effect of round on EDA (F(5, 27) = 8.893, p <0.001.”
- Also stated in: § Physiological Measures · hedged
“suggesting that viewing the fight increased electrodermal activity across subjects.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Also stated in: § Physiological Measures · hedged
- Findingown data
Empathic concern was the only IRI factor to show a significant difference between OXTR rs53576 genotypes.
“Empathic concern, defined as the capacity to experience feelings of compassion, warmth, and concern in response to other people, was the only factor to show a significant difference between genotypes (t(49) = −2.480, p = .017)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Viewing the fight resulted in a linear increase of subjective arousal ratings over time.
“There was a significant main effect of time on subjective ratings (F(2.678, 46) =7.881, p < 0.001).1 Post hoc comparisons indicated that there was a significant linear trend over time (F(1, 46) = 15.541, p < 0.001), suggesting that viewing the fight resulted in a linear increase of subjective arousal ratings over time.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
- Findingown data
Pre-fight electrodermal activity did not differ at baseline between GG and A allele carrier groups.
“Post hoc contrasts revealed that pre-fight EDA did not differ at baseline between groups (GG: m = 0.04, sd = 0.04; AA/AG: m = 0.04, sd = 0.02; t = −0.294, p = 0.722)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
There was no significant relationship between dispositional empathic concern and changes in electrodermal activity or subjective arousal across all rounds.
“There was no significant relationship for changes in either EDA or subjective arousal across all rounds (see Table 1).”
- Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
“One unanticipated finding in this study was the lack of a relationship between the self-report measure of dispositional empathic concern, taken prior to viewing the fight stimuli, and physiological or subjective measure of arousal by genotype.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
- Findingown data
The GG and A allele carrier groups differed in electrodermal activity by the end of the fight.
“although the groups did differ by the end of the fight (GG: m = 0.06, sd = 0.03; AA/AG: m = 0.05, sd = 0.02; t = −2.427, p = 0.03)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
OXTR rs53576 GG homozygotes expressed greater dispositional empathic concern than A allele carriers.
“GG homozygotes also expressed greater levels of empathic concern.”
- Also stated in: § Empathy · plain
“Empathic concern, defined as the capacity to experience feelings of compassion, warmth, and concern in response to other people, was the only factor to show a significant difference between genotypes (t(49) = −2.480, p = .017), with GG (x = 20.96, sd = 4.894) participants showing increased dispositional levels of empathic concern compared to A carriers (x = 17.89, sd = 3.935, Figure 1).”
- Also stated in: § Discussion · boosted
“This study replicated this finding, demonstrating that OXTR variation was associated with increased levels of empathic concern, or the capacity to experience feelings of compassion, warmth, and concern in response to others (Davis, 1980).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Empathy · plain
- Findingown data
There was a trend toward a significant genotype by time interaction for subjective arousal ratings.
“In addition, a trend towards a significant genotype by time interaction (F(4, 45) = 2.078, p = 0.062) was identified”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
There was no significant genotype by time interaction for electrodermal activity.
“There was no significant genotype by time interaction (F(1,26) = 0.897, p = 0.253).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Study design and conductown data
Controlling for how often subjects watch MMA did not alter the primary findings of this study.
“Controlling for how often subjects watch MMA did not alter the primary findings of this study.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationcitation
The oxytocin receptor system's influence on autonomic responses is tied to a role in the perception of social cues in general.
“This suggests that the oxytocin receptor system's influence on autonomic responses is tied to a role in the perception of social cues in general.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The difference in physiological responding across genotype was driven by viewing the stimuli.
“indicating that the difference in physiological responding across genotype was driven by viewing the stimuli (Figure 2).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
This study further implicates the potential involvement of OXTR variation in detection of other's emotional states.
“While this study is not a direct replication of these results, it further implicates the potential involvement of OXTR variation in detection of other's emotional states.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
GG individuals' reported levels of arousal may have been increasing more rapidly than A carriers.
“suggesting that GG individuals' reported levels of arousal may have been increasing more rapidly than A carriers (Figure 3).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationown data
These findings support the importance of oxytocin receptor variation in emotional and physiological reactions to the experiences of other conspecifics.
“These findings support the importance of the oxytocin receptor variation in emotional and physiological reactions to the experiences of other conspecifics.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
OT receptors are expressed throughout brainstem nuclei implicated in the regulation of the ANS.
“and OT receptors are expressed throughout brainstem nuclei implicated in the regulation of the ANS (Gimpl & Fahrenholz, 2001).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Gimpl & Fahrenholz, 2001 source
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- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 29
- May combine two claims. 9
- The quote only partly states this claim. 1
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Study design and conductnone givenA pre-fight measure was extracted using the first 30s of the recording after the start of the video to ensure differences in physiological measures across genotypes were driven by viewing the fight.
“A pre-fight measure was also extracted using the first 30s of the recording after the start of the video to ensure differences in physiological measures across genotypes were driven by viewing the fight.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenThe population in this study was limited to males.
“Finally, the population in this study was limited to males.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenThe study evaluated only one OXTR SNP.
“Another limitation of the present study is that it evaluated only one OXTR SNP.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenThe stimuli (MMA fight) does not only contain high levels of pain and distress, but also involves a violent competition.
“It is also important to note that the stimuli, an MMA fight, does not only contain high levels of pain and distress, but also involves a violent competition.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataThe genotype distribution obtained for rs53576 did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
“This distribution does not deviate from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, χ2 = 1.3, df = 2, p = 0.52.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationThere is evidence of gender differences in empathy and systematic differences in aggression, which might suggest that a female population might show different patterns of responses to viewing a stimuli containing high levels of distress, pain, and violence, as well as aggression.
“There is evidence of gender differences in empathy(Decety & Svetlova, 2012; Schieman & Van Gundy, 2000), as well as systematic differences in aggression (Archer, 2004) which might suggest that a female population might show different patterns of responses to viewing a stimuli containing high levels of distress, pain, and violence, as well as aggression.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Decety & Svetlova, 2012
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- cites Schieman & Van Gundy, 2000
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- cites Archer, 2004
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PremisecitationSpecific modulation of the sympathetic branch of the ANS has previously been shown through increased sympathetic activity, measured using pre-ejection period (PEP), in GG individuals in response to social stress.
“Specific modulation of the sympathetic branch of the ANS has previously been shown through increased sympathetic activity, measured using pre-ejection period (PEP), in GG individuals in response to social stress (Norman et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Norman et al., 2012
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PremisecitationOther work has shown a relationship between other-oriented empathy as measured by the IRI and variation in other OXTR SNPs.
“Additionally, other work has shown a relationship between other-oriented empathy as measured by the IRI and variation in other OXTR SNPs (Wu et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Wu et al., 2012
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Study design and conductown dataThe EDA analysis had a small sample size (n = 28).
“The first is the small sample size in the analysis for EDA (n = 28).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationOXTR variation has been demonstrated to influence the responsiveness of the amygdala and hypothalamus to social and emotional stimuli.
“Furthermore, OXTR variation has been demonstrated to influence the responsiveness of the amygdala and hypothalamus to social and emotional stimuli (Kogan et al., 2011; Tost et al., 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Kogan et al., 2011
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- cites Tost et al., 2011
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Study design and conductown dataParticipants with recording artifacts were excluded, leaving 28 participants with complete SCR data.
“Participants with recording artifacts were excluded, leaving 28 participants with complete SCR data.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductcitationThe IRI empathic concern measure used in this study is one used previously and replicates previous results.
“However, the measure used in this study is one used previously and replicates previous results (Rodrigues et al., 2009).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Rodrigues et al., 2009
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Study design and conductcitationThe functional significance of the respective OXTR SNPs is not well established, making it difficult to generate strong inferences regarding the precise relationship between genetic variation at this site and subsequent phenotypes.
“As emphasized in a recent meta-analysis (Bakermans-Kranenburg & van Ijzendoorn, 2013), the functional significance of the respective OXTR SNPs are not well established, making it difficult to generate strong inferences regarding the precise relationship between genetic variation at this site and subsequent phenotypes.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bakermans-Kranenburg & van Ijzendoorn, 2013
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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenThe study used only a self-report questionnaire to assess empathy and did not directly assess empathic responses related to the stimuli.
“Additionally, the study is limited in that it used only a self-report questionnaire to assess empathy and did not directly assess empathic responses related to the stimuli.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationPrevious work has reported that GG individuals show significantly increased levels of other-oriented empathy (empathic concern, perspective taking, and fantasy).
“In particular, previous work has reported that GG individuals show significantly increased levels of other-oriented empathy (empathic concern, perspective taking, and fantasy) (Rodrigues et al., 2009).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Rodrigues et al., 2009
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Study design and conductcitationThe study sample consisted of multiple ethnicities, which is a limitation because allele frequencies and behavioral correlates of OXTR vary across ethnicities.
“This study also utilized a sample consisting of multiple ethnicities which is a limitation, as there is some evidence that the allele frequencies and behavioral correlates of OXTR vary across ethnicities (Kim et al., 2010).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Kim et al., 2010
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Study design and conductreasoningCompetition-related physiological and hormonal responses were not addressed in this study.
“These issues were not addressed in this study, but should be examined in future work.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationGG individuals have overall increased maternal sensitivity.
“and overall increased maternal sensitivity (Bakermans-Kranenburg & Van Ijzendoorn, 2008; Sturge-Apple, Cicchetti, Davies, & Suor, 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Bakermans-Kranenburg & Van Ijzendoorn, 2008
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- cites Sturge-Apple et al., 2012
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Premisenone givenRecent research indicates that the neuropeptide oxytocin and the gene for the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) have been implicated in the modulation of various social behaviors, including those related to empathy and sensitivity to others.
“Recent research indicates that the neuropeptide oxytocin and the gene for the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) have been implicated in the modulation of various social behaviors, including those related to empathy and sensitivity to others.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisecitationConcern for others in distress has been associated with increases in autonomic arousal and activation of neural regions involved in individuals' own experiences of these states including the insula and anterior cingulate cortex.
“For example, concern for others' in distress has been associated to increases in autonomic arousal and activation of neural regions involved in individuals' own experiences of these states including the insula and anterior cingulate cortex (Decety & Jackson, 2004; Harrison, Singer, Rotshtein, Dolan, & Critchley, 2006).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Decety & Jackson, 2004
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- cites Harrison et al., 2006
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PremisecitationVariation in OXTR has been implicated in social information processing.
“In addition, variation in OXTR has been implicated in social information processing (Petrovic, Kalisch, Singer, & Dolan, 2008; Tost et al., 2010)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Petrovic et al., 2008
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- cites Tost et al., 2010
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PremisecitationThe A allele of OXTR rs53576 has been associated with decreased hypothalamus and amygdala volumes.
“Furthermore, the A allele of OXTR rs53576 has been associated with decreased hypothalamus and amygdala volumes, areas of the brain extensively involved in regulation of social and emotional behaviors (Ebstein et al., 2012; Tost et al., 2010).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Ebstein et al., 2012
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- cites Tost et al., 2010
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PremisecitationEmpathic arousal, which refers to the unconscious contagious sharing of affect, is the first building block of empathy to appear during ontogeny.
“Empathic arousal, which refers to the unconscious contagious sharing of affect, is the first building block of empathy to appear during ontogeny (Decety & Michalska, 2010; Michalska, Kinzler, & Decety, 2013; Roth-Hanania, Davidov, & Zahn-Waxler, 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Decety & Michalska, 2010
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- cites Michalska et al., 2013
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- cites Roth-Hanania et al., 2011
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PremisecitationThere is evidence that allele frequencies and behavioral correlates of OXTR vary across ethnicities.
“as there is some evidence that the allele frequencies and behavioral correlates of OXTR vary across ethnicities (Kim et al., 2010).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Kim et al., 2010
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PremisecitationTo be motivated to help another, one needs to be affectively, empathically aroused, and to anticipate the cessation of mutually experienced personal distress.
“To be motivated to help another, one needs to be affectively, empathically aroused, and to anticipate the cessation of mutually experience personal distress (Decety, 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Decety, 2011
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PremisecitationThe ANS is involved in the stress response as well as regulating social behavior.
“The ANS is involved in the stress response as well as regulating social behavior (Porges, 2011)”
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PremisecitationGG individuals are better at detecting some emotions in others.
“and social communication, with GG individuals being better at detecting some emotions in others (Rodrigues et al., 2009).”
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PremisecitationThere is a wealth of literature examining physiological and hormonal responding to competition, especially in males, demonstrating that these responses are influenced by a variety of factors including team affiliation, domination, and defeat.
“There is a wealth of literature examining physiological and hormonal responding to competition, especially in males, demonstrating that these responses are influenced by a variety of factors including team affiliation, domination, and defeat (Carré, Putnam, & McCormick, 2009; Mehta & Josephs, 2006).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Carré et al., 2009
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- cites Mehta & Josephs, 2006
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PremisecitationOxytocin modulates a variety of social behaviors, such as trust, generosity, and empathy.
“Oxytocin modulates a variety of social behaviors, such as trust, generosity, and empathy (Baumgartner, Heinrichs, Vonlanthen, Fischbacher, & Fehr, 2008; Kogan et al., 2011; Rodrigues, Saslow, Garcia, John, & Keltner, 2009; Tost et al., 2010), as well as parental care (Feldman, Gordon, Schneiderman, Weisman, & Zagoory-Sharon, 2010; Neville, McFadden, & Forsyth, 2002).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Baumgartner et al., 2008
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- cites Kogan et al., 2011
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- cites Rodrigues et al., 2009
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PremisecitationGenetic variation in OXTR has been associated with individual differences in the expression of various social behaviors including empathic concern and social cognition.
“Genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) has been associated with individual differences in the expression of various social behaviors including empathic concern and social cognition (Park et al., 2010; Rodrigues et al., 2009; Wu, Li, & Su, 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Park et al., 2010
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- cites Rodrigues et al., 2009
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- cites Wu et al., 2012
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PremisecitationEmpathy is not a single ability but a complex socio-emotional competency that encompasses different components including empathic arousal and empathic concern.
“There is now a converging agreement that empathy is not a single ability but a complex socio-emotional competency that encompasses different components including empathic arousal and empathic concern (Decety, Norman, Berntson, & Cacioppo, 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Decety et al., 2012
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The paper relies on this without support.
The MMA fight video is an evocative social stimulus that elicits empathic concern and/or autonomic arousal in response to others' distress and pain.
“MMA is a popular full contact combat sport similar to boxing and was chosen because it is an evocative social stimulus with fighters exhibiting high levels of pain and distress.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Autonomic and subjective arousal while viewing the MMA fight reflects sensitivity to the distress and pain of others rather than a general response to violence or competition.
“It is also important to note that the stimuli, an MMA fight, does not only contain high levels of pain and distress, but also involves a violent competition.”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Variations of the OXTR have been associated with individual differences in the capacity and tendency to empathize with others' emotional states in healthy individuals and related brain function in individuals with ASD.
“Further, variations of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) have been associated with individual differences in the capacity and tendency to empathize with others’ emotional states in healthy individuals25–30 and related brain function in individuals with ASD31.”
From Randomized clinical trial shows no substantial modulation of empathy-related neural activation by intranasal oxytocin in autism (2021) · cites this paper as [26]
Statistics that don’t add up
Each reported p-value recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom.
Inconsistent p-value: F(1,26) = 0.897, p = .253
MinorThe paper reports p = .253 here; recomputing from the test statistic and its degrees of freedom gives p = .352. The check cannot tell whether the statistic or the p-value is the misprint.
Reported p = .253 · recomputed p = .352
“F(1,26) = 0.897, p = 0.253”
Inconsistent p-value: F(4, 45) = 2.078, p = .062
MinorThe paper reports p = .062 here; recomputing from the test statistic and its degrees of freedom gives p = .099. The check cannot tell whether the statistic or the p-value is the misprint.
Reported p = .062 · recomputed p = .099
“F(4, 45) = 2.078, p = 0.062”
Statistics recomputed
Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.
- Doesn’t add upF(1, 26) = 0.897reported p = .253 · recomputed p = .352
“F(1,26) = 0.897, p = .253”
- Doesn’t add upF(4, 45) = 2.078reported p = .062 · recomputed p = .099
“F(4, 45) = 2.078, p = .062”
- Consistentt(49) = -2.48reported p = .017 · recomputed p = .017
“t(49) = −2.480, p = .017”
- ConsistentF(5, 27) = 8.893reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001
“F(5, 27) = 8.893, p < .001”
- Consistentt(27) = 4.831reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001
“t(27) = 4.831, p < .001”
- Consistentt(27) = 3.275reported p = .003 · recomputed p = .003
“t(27) = 3.275, p = .003”
- Consistentt(27) = 4.172reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001
“t(27) = 4.172, p < .001”
- Consistentt(27) = 2.29reported p = .03 · recomputed p = .030
“t(27) = 2.290, p = .030”
- Consistentt(27) = 2.326reported p = .028 · recomputed p = .028
“t(27) = 2.326, p = .028”
- ConsistentF(1, 26) = 5.838reported p = .023 · recomputed p = .023
“F(1,26) = 5.838, p = .023”
- ConsistentF(2.678, 46) = 7.881reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001
“F(2.678, 46) =7.881, p < .001”
- ConsistentF(1, 46) = 15.541reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001
“F(1, 46) = 15.541, p < .001”
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Reported ethnicity percentages exceed 100%
MinorThe first two listed categories total 92%, while the remaining categories add another 13.7%. The four categories therefore total 105.7%.
“57% Caucasian, 35% African American”
“5.9% Asian, and 7.8% other or multiple ethnicities”
Subjective arousal analysis refers to six fight rounds
MinorThe results describe subjective arousal ratings across six rounds, but the procedure says the fight had five rounds and participants rated arousal after each one.
“A one way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to look at the effect of viewing the fight on subject's subjective arousal ratings across the 6 rounds of the fight.”
“After each of the five rounds of the fight, participants were asked to rate how arousing they found the fight on a Likert scale from 1 – 9.”
Cites
Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach.
Davis, M. H. (1983) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.44.1.113 · Cited by 10,272 · see citing works
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BackgroundThe oxytocin receptor system: structure, function, and regulation
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The Neuropeptide Oxytocin Regulates Parochial Altruism in Intergroup Conflict Among Humans
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BackgroundOxytocin receptor genetic variation relates to empathy and stress reactivity in humans
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Intranasal Administration of Oxytocin Increases Envy and Schadenfreude (Gloating)
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“SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE, 2014 Vol. 9, No. 1, 1–9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2013.863223 © 2013 Taylor & Francis out-group members (De Dreu et al., 2010) and increase gloating and envy (Shamay-Tsoory et al., 2009).”
BackgroundInfluentialPutting together phylogenetic and ontogenetic perspectives on empathy
Decety, J., & Svetlova, M. (2012) · Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.dcn.2011.05.003 · Cited by 508 · see citing works
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Oxytocin Attenuates Affective Evaluations of Conditioned Faces and Amygdala Activity
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“In addition, variation inOXTR has been implicated in social information processing (Petrovic et al., 2008; Tost et al., 2010) and social communication, with GG individuals being better at detecting some emotions in others (Rodrigues et al., 2009).”
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Jean Decety, A. (2011) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06027.x · Cited by 389 · see citing works
Intracerebroventricular oxytocin stimulates maternal behaviour in the sheep
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Decety, J., & Michalska, K. J. (2009) · Developmental Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00940.x · Cited by 356 · see citing works
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Social Neuroscience of Empathy
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Self-citationA neurobehavioral evolutionary perspective on the mechanisms underlying empathy
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Self-citationThe contributions of oxytocin and vasopressin pathway genes to human behavior
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“Additionally, some of the pro-social effects of oxytocin appear to be moderated by caregiving experiences during early development (Bartz et al., 2010; Riem et al., 2013; van Ijzendoorn, Huffmeijer, Alink, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & Tops, 2011).”
BackgroundThe association between oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism (OXTR) and trait empathy
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Testosterone responses to competition predict future aggressive behaviour at a cost to reward in men
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Oxytocin enhances the perception of biological motion in humans
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Neurogenetic effects of OXTR rs2254298 in the extended limbic system of healthy Caucasian adults
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Handbook of Religion and Health
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Oxytocin increases empathy to pain when adopting the other-but not the self-perspective
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Medical students’ empathy positively predicts charitable donation behavior
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- Authors
- Smith, K. E., Porges, E. C., Norman, G. J., Connelly, J. J., & Decety, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Chicago (US)
- Venue
- Social Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-12-03
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-9
- ISSN
- 1747-0919 (ISSN-L)
- 1747-0927
- PMC
- PMC3923324
- OpenAlex
- W2118534560
- Semantic Scholar
- 8dbc4d12d94efa69b0aa11b0dba10d680bab7225
- Cited by
- 195
- References
- 56
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 8
- FWCI
- 17.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Social Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH84934-01A1, R01MH084934)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- oxytocin receptor, rs53576, empathic concern, autonomic arousal, electrodermal activity, sympathetic nervous system, pain perception, empathy, genetic polymorphism
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Arousal, Autonomic Nervous System, Empathy, Galvanic Skin Response, Genotype, Humans, Male, Perception, Regression Analysis, Social Behavior, Receptors, Oxytocin, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Young Adult, Self Report
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.
Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
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