Cited by 30Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorPrimate Behavior and EcologyHuman-Animal Interaction Studies

Oxytocin reduces food sharing in capuchin monkeys by modulating social distance

Brosnan, Sarah F., Talbot, Catherine F., Essler, Jennifer L., Leverett, Kelly, Flemming, Timothy, Dougall, Patrick, Heyler, Carla, Zak, Paul J.·2015·Behaviour

Abstract

Recent evidence indicates that oxytocin plays an important role in promoting prosocial behaviour amongst humans and other species. We tested whether oxytocin affected cooperation and food-sharing in capuchin monkeys, a highly cooperative New World primate. Subjects received either 2IU oxytocin or an inert adjuvent intranasally prior to each session. Oxytocin influenced food sharing in capuchins in ways we did not anticipate. Recipients were less likely to passively acquire food from possessors when either individual had received OT than in the control, and also spent less time in proximity to their partner. Passive food sharing requires proximity, and oxytocin decreased the capuchins’ typical congregating behaviour, apparently resulting in decreased sharing. We propose that the likely mechanism for increased social distance is the known anxiolytic effect of oxytocin. Our results indicate a need to consider how oxytocin affects the context of interactions and interacts with modes of sociality unique to each species.

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Crossref · 10.1163/1568539x-00003268

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75 of 75 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Brosnan, S. F., Talbot, C. F., Essler, J. L., Leverett, K., Flemming, T., Dougall, P., Heyler, C., & Zak, P. J.
Affiliations
  • Georgia State University (US)
  • Claremont Graduate University (US)
Venue
Behaviour
Published
2015
Volume
152
Issue
7-8
Pages
941-961
ISSN
  • 0005-7959 (ISSN-L)
  • 1568-539X
OpenAlex
W15245611
Cited by
30
References
75
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4
FWCI
8.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Behaviour (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
Keywords
oxytocin, food sharing, capuchin monkeys, social distance, prosocial behavior, cooperation, anxiolytic effects, social proximity, intranasal administration, primate sociality

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