A meta-analytic review of the relationship between empathy and oxytocin: Implications for application in psychopathy research

Stark, Nicole M.; Bobadilla, Leonardo; Paul, M.; Saturn, Sarina R.; Portner, Matt

doi:10.1016/j.avb.2023.101828

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…To date, there is limited evidence suggesting that there are sex differences in the effects of intranasal oxytocin on empathy. A recent meta-analysis found that there was no statistically significant difference between sexes; however, the authors noted that in studies with males only, the effect of intranasal oxytocin was consistently positive, whereas the effects in studies that included females were close to zero ( 26 ). They hypothesize that females may have higher baseline empathic abilities due to differences in endogenous oxytocin levels and the degree to which women are socialized to express empathy, which is consistent with the finding that intranasal oxytocin increased the empathic responses in males to a level similar to that of untreated females ( 113 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Early theories focused oxytocin’s role in prosocial behavior and affiliative motivation ( 20 )—with research suggesting that oxytocin is involved in a number of social emotions and behaviors including trust ( 21 , 22 ), generosity ( 23 , 24 ), and empathy ( 24 – 26 ). In a recent study, Akinrinade and colleagues ( 27 ) demonstrated that oxytocin was necessary and sufficient to elicit fear contagion, behavioral distress, and consoling behavior in zebrafish—suggesting that oxytocin’s role in empathic processes is evolutionarily conserved in social species ( 27 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat

Conklin,

Zanesco,

King

et al. 2024

Front. Endocrinol.

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BackgroundGiven its putative roles in mediating prosocial behavior, attachment bonds, and stress physiology, oxytocin modulation has been hypothesized to be a biological correlate of the salubrious effects of meditation practice. Here we investigated the effects of a month-long silent meditation retreat on changes in oxytocin, and the related hormone and vasopressin, in relation to psychosocial changes in attachment style, anxiety, personality measures, and feelings of social connectedness with fellow meditators.MethodsPlasma oxytocin and vasopressin and self-report questionnaires were measured in retreat participants (n = 28) at the beginning of, and 3 weeks into, a residential meditation retreat. Control participants (n = 34), who were similar in age, gender, and meditation experience, were also assessed across a 3-week interval. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess outcomes.ResultsThe retreat group showed a small but significant decrease in oxytocin compared to controls who showed no change. In the retreat group, higher openness to experience at Time 1 predicted greater reductions in oxytocin during the retreat, and lower oxytocin at Time 2 was related to stronger feelings of personal connection with fellow meditators. The changes in oxytocin were not related to attachment style or anxiety. Vasopressin decreased over time across both groups, suggesting no specific effect of retreat.ConclusionThese preliminary findings suggest that meditation training in the context of a silent residential retreat may reduce circulating levels of oxytocin. We interpret this finding from multiple theoretical perspectives, discussing key measurement limitations and proposing future study designs that may help to differentiate the effects of different meditation practices and contexts on oxytocin signaling.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat

Conklin,

Zanesco,

King

et al. 2024

Front. Endocrinol.

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“…Among dark triad personality traits, psychopathy (PSY) is typically measured offensive, social manipulator, and apathetic (Paulhus & Williams, 2002). Additionally, PSY is personality disorder characterized by cluster of the traits and behaviors, including (i) lack of empathy, (ii) shallow emotions, (iii) impulsivity, (iv) deceitfulness, (v) irresponsibility (vi) grandiosity as well as (vii) lack of remorse/guilt (Stark, Bobadilla, Michael, Saturn & Portner, 2023). Still, studies have revealed notable correlation between PSY and act of cyberbullying (Balta, Jonason, Denes, Emirtekin & Griffiths, 2019;Chung, Morshidi, Yoong & Thian, 2019;Kircaburun, Süral, March, Balta, Emirtekin & Griffiths, 2021;Servidio, Griffiths & Demetrovics, 2021;Farhat, Aslam, Arif & Ahmed, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychopathy and Cyberbullying: The Role of Self-Control as Moderator Among Problematic Smartphone Users

Miran

Yaseen

Jabeen

2023

GUJR

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The widespread ownership of smartphones among youth has led to an increase in cyberbullying. Studies have shown that smartphone addiction is linked to psychopathic personality traits as well as significantly predicts cyberbullying. However, self-control is considered a protective factor that can promote responsible smartphone use. Research aimed to investigate role of self-control in association of psychopathy & cyberbullying among problematic smartphone users in Pakistan. The data was collected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Screening criteria was modified from 4-hours of the smartphone usage to 6-hours daily to screen the problematic smartphone usage. 1055 young individuals were approached, and 254 were not screened as problematic users of smartphones. In second stage, 801 problematic smartphone users, 383 were male (47.9%), 418 were females (52.1%) between ages of 18-23. Data was collected using three assessment measures: (i) subscale psychopathy of short dark triad test, (ii) revised self-control scale, and (iii) subscale cyberbullying of the forms of bullying. Study reveals positive relationship amid psychopathic personality traits and cyberbullying. Study sheds light on link between psychopathy and cyberbullying and emphasizes the need for interventions that target individuals with such personality traits to prevent or stop cyberbullying in particular context.

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Intranasal Oxytocin Improves Interoceptive Accuracy and Heartbeat-Evoked Potentials During a Cardiac Interoceptive Task

Zhou,

Cheng,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging

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A meta-analytic review of the relationship between empathy and oxytocin: Implications for application in psychopathy research

Cited by 3 publications

References 94 publications

Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat

Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat

Psychopathy and Cyberbullying: The Role of Self-Control as Moderator Among Problematic Smartphone Users

Intranasal Oxytocin Improves Interoceptive Accuracy and Heartbeat-Evoked Potentials During a Cardiac Interoceptive Task

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