However, our ability to trust others varies from individual to individual, just like different people’s ability to recognize a person’s face is not the same. Bonds of trust are also extremely fragile. A single act of betrayal, such as a marital affair, can instantly erase years of trustworthy behavior. The consequences of such breaches in confidence can be disastrous, and not only for a relationship.
The study demonstrates how oxytocin can facilitate social interactions after trust has been violated, by potentially lowering defense mechanisms associated with social risks and by overcoming negative feedback that is important for adapting behavior in the future.
Luckily, oxytocin in our body has the ability to inspire trust in and among people. This chemical is released whenever interaction happens between people.
To study social interactions, economists and more recently neuroscientists take advantage of a simple experiment. Two participants play the so-called “trust game.” The first participant is faced with a decision to keep a sum of money or share it with the second participant, who has no obligation to give the money back. He would get more money if the second person returns it.
In this game, the first person is left with an important social dilemma — to trust or not to trust. Although it is more profitable to trust, doing so leaves the investor at risk of betrayal.
Trust is not something that naturally occurs when two people meet for the first time. It involves a process. One person has to show the quality of being trustworthy to the other person. This can be achieved by certain behaviors and communication. Therefore, trust is conditional. People should not take it for granted.
Oxytocin does not only exist in human beings. Animals also have this gift, and it can be seen when they cooperate with each other. Oxytocin in monkeys, for example, allows them to work together to find food and to fight against enemies.
According to Nash equilibrium’s game theory, the first participant will make the best decision he can with no expectations that the second participant would change his decision. The second participant will do the same. So the outcome depends on the decision of the other person. This game is similar to the one we just talked about.
The oxytocin level doesn’t stay the same in a person’s body. Studies have found that people who are under a lot of stress have higher levels of oxytocin.
Oxytocin causes a substantial increase in trust among humans, thereby greatly increasing the benefits from social interactions. It’s also noted that the effect of oxytocin on trust is not due to a general increase in the readiness to bear risks. On the contrary, oxytocin specifically affects an individual’s willingness to accept social risks arising through interpersonal interactions.
To sum up, oxytocin is like a kind of social glue that is helpful in social bonding. Further research is needed to explore oxytocin and trust, and how this hormone can be used to strengthen our trust in others, and even treat mental disorders that specifically relate to deficiencies in social behaviour.
Next, we’re going to talk about…
