UMI, ProQuest ® Dissertations & Theses. The world's most comprehensive collection of dis... more UMI, ProQuest ® Dissertations & Theses. The world's most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses. Learn more... ProQuest, The physiology of empathy: Linking oxytocin to empathic responding. by Barraza, Jorge ...
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 09546553 2015 1005077, Mar 17, 2015
ABSTRACT Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepren... more ABSTRACT Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepreneurs of suicide missions frame the necessity of violent behavior within the context of persuasive narratives to attract potential recruits. Herein we report results from an experiment to test factors involved with costly action linked to a persuasive narrative. We recruited 164 participants (M = 21, SD = 5.20) and measured hormones, electrodermal activity, and personality to predict who would be influenced by the narrative's message. We found that the persuasive narrative we tested resulted in costly action by those who are high-perspective takers and are more physiologically aroused by the narrative. The findings fill lacunae in the literature, providing a novel approach to examine costly behavior (like martyrdom missions) in the laboratory.
ABSTRACT Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepren... more ABSTRACT Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepreneurs of suicide missions frame the necessity of violent behavior within the context of persuasive narratives to attract potential recruits. Herein we report results from an experiment to test factors involved with costly action linked to a persuasive narrative. We recruited 164 participants (M = 21, SD = 5.20) and measured hormones, electrodermal activity, and personality to predict who would be influenced by the narrative's message. We found that the persuasive narrative we tested resulted in costly action by those who are high-perspective takers and are more physiologically aroused by the narrative. The findings fill lacunae in the literature, providing a novel approach to examine costly behavior (like martyrdom missions) in the laboratory.
Neurophysiological compliance is a correlation of neurophysiological measures (synchronicity) bet... more Neurophysiological compliance is a correlation of neurophysiological measures (synchronicity) between individuals. Higher compliance among team members is related to better performance, and higher synchronicity occurs during emotional moments of a stimulus. The aim of the current study is to examine whether synchrony may be observable via peripheral nervous system (PNS) activity. We used inter-subject correlation (ISC) analysis to assess whether synchronicity of PNS measures are related to stimulus emotionality or similarity in behavioral responses. Participants viewed a 100-second emotional video, followed by an appeal to donate experimental earnings to a related chari-ty. We found high ISC for cardiac and electrodermal activity (EDA) between donors versus non-donors. For both groups, we found an association between ISC of cardiac activity and emotional moments in the stimulus. For non-donors we found an association between ISC of EDA and emotional moments. Our findings indicate that PNS measures yield similar results to neurophysiological measures.
Leveraging Neuroscientific and Neurotechnological (NeuroS&T) Developments with Focus on Influence and Deterrence in a Networked World. , 2014
Influence is a social process. Social cues dictate how an influence target attributes trust or t... more Influence is a social process. Social cues dictate how an influence target attributes trust or truthiness to an influence source. As such, influence is not purely calculative (or “rational”) as a myriad of both cognitive (thought) and affective (emotion) factors are involved in the process. The neuroscience of trust provides a framework for examining how emotions, pre-existing beliefs, and individual differences can impact influence at individual and group levels. In particular, the hormone oxytocin illustrates that influence can have ancient roots in our evolutionary development as a social species. Some highlights of this research are provided with a discussion of their implications to deterrence.
Foundations of Augmented Cognition. Advancing Human Performance and Decision-Making through Adaptive Systems , 2014
Neurophysiological compliance is a correlation of neurophysiological measures (synchronicity) bet... more Neurophysiological compliance is a correlation of neurophysiological measures (synchronicity) between individuals. Higher compliance among team members is related to better performance, and higher synchronicity occurs during emotional moments of a stimulus. The aim of the current study is to examine whether synchrony may be observable via peripheral nervous system (PNS) activity. We used inter-subject correlation (ISC) analysis to assess whether synchronicity of PNS measures are related to stimulus emotionality or similarity in behavioral responses. Participants viewed a 100-second emotional video, followed by an appeal to donate experimental earnings to a related chari-ty. We found high ISC for cardiac and electrodermal activity (EDA) between donors versus non-donors. For both groups, we found an association between ISC of cardiac activity and emotional moments in the stimulus. For non-donors we found an association between ISC of EDA and emotional moments. Our findings indicate that PNS measures yield similar results to neurophysiological measures.
Emotionally laden narratives are often used as persuasive appeals by charitable organizations. Wh... more Emotionally laden narratives are often used as persuasive appeals by charitable organizations. Why some people decide to act after an appeal while others do not may be partly due to their physiological reactivity to the narrative. In this study we tested whether autonomic and hormonal activity related to narrative exposure predicted subsequent giving. Participants viewed a brief story of a father’s experience with his 2- year old son who has terminal cancer. After viewing the story, participants were presented with an opportunity to donate some of their study earnings to a related charity. Several measures derived from cardiac and electrodermal activity during narrative exposure predicted donors versus non-donors. Moreover, we found that cardiac activity across the narrative was associated with peak moments of concern, as rated by an independent group of participants. Results suggest that the physiological resonance of a narrative can differentiate influence as indexed by narrative-related behavior.
This chapter reviews and puts into context recent findings on the role oxytocin (OT) in producing... more This chapter reviews and puts into context recent findings on the role oxytocin (OT) in producing prosocial behaviors in humans. We also connect this physiologic mechanism to psychological states that produce these behaviors, particularly empathy. Empathy causes one to attend to another’s plight, and can be a motivation to invest resources to assist someone in distress. An OT-empathy relationship has been suggested based on similar behavior effects, but several lines of emerging research appear to show that OT does instantiate the experience of empathy.
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) modulates functioning of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) ... more The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) modulates functioning of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and regulates a range of social processes. Clinical studies have used intranasal OT administration to treat symptoms arising from a number of psychiatric disorders including autism, schizophrenia, and depression. Most of this research, however, has been based on single dose treatments of OT in younger adult populations. The present study examined the impact on the health and psychological well-being of a 10-day OT administration in an older adult population. Residentially housed older adults (N= 41, mean age of 80) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants received 40 IU intranasal OT or placebo for 10 consecutive days. No changes in mood or cardiovascular states were observed across the 10-day period. Repeated-measures ANOVAs showed that dispositional gratitude improved for the OT infused participants, while gratitude declined for placebo controls over the 10 days (p = .015). Those in the OT condition did not report a decline in physical functioning over time as was observed in the placebo condition (p = .05), and also reported less fatigue compared to controls (p = .03). No significant adverse events were reported throughout the entirety of the study, indicating that OT can be safely used with older adults.
This essay introduces a neurologically-informed mathematical model of collective action (CA) that... more This essay introduces a neurologically-informed mathematical model of collective action (CA) that reveals the role for empathy and distress in motivating costly helping behaviors. We report three direct tests of model with a key focus on the neuropeptide oxytocin as well as a variety of indirect tests. These studies, from our lab and other researchers, show support for the model. Our findings indicate that empathic concern, via the brain's release of oxytocin, is a trigger for CA. We discuss the implications from this model for our understanding why human beings engage in costly CA.
This study examined if the prosocial effects of oxytocin (OT) extend from individuals to a genera... more This study examined if the prosocial effects of oxytocin (OT) extend from individuals to a generalized other who is in need. Participants played a series of economic games to earn money and were presented with an opportunity to donate a portion of their earnings to charity. OT did not significantly increase the decision to donate, but among the 36% of participants who did donate, people infused with OT were found to donate 48% more to charity than those given a placebo. The amount of money earned in the experiment had no effect on whether or not a donation was made or the size of a donation. This is the first study showing that OT increases generosity in unilateral exchanges directed toward philanthropic social institutions, as opposed to immediate benefits directed at individuals or groups.
Emotional expectations are likely to influence behavioral outcomes, even when entering novel situ... more Emotional expectations are likely to influence behavioral outcomes, even when entering novel situations. The present study proposed that positive emotional expectations would influence volunteer outcomes for new volunteers. New and continuing volunteers were recruited for a two-part longitudinal study. Study hypotheses were confirmed. Emotional expectations (i.e., sympathy, satisfaction) were positively associated with intentions to continue volunteering, identification with the volunteer role, and volunteer persistence six months later for new volunteers. For continuing volunteers, emotional expectations were only significantly and positively associated with volunteer role identity. Moreover, the intent to persist as a volunteer was found to have a stronger positive association with actual persistence for continuing volunteers than for new volunteers.
UMI, ProQuest ® Dissertations & Theses. The world's most comprehensive collection of dis... more UMI, ProQuest ® Dissertations & Theses. The world's most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses. Learn more... ProQuest, The physiology of empathy: Linking oxytocin to empathic responding. by Barraza, Jorge ...
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 09546553 2015 1005077, Mar 17, 2015
ABSTRACT Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepren... more ABSTRACT Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepreneurs of suicide missions frame the necessity of violent behavior within the context of persuasive narratives to attract potential recruits. Herein we report results from an experiment to test factors involved with costly action linked to a persuasive narrative. We recruited 164 participants (M = 21, SD = 5.20) and measured hormones, electrodermal activity, and personality to predict who would be influenced by the narrative's message. We found that the persuasive narrative we tested resulted in costly action by those who are high-perspective takers and are more physiologically aroused by the narrative. The findings fill lacunae in the literature, providing a novel approach to examine costly behavior (like martyrdom missions) in the laboratory.
ABSTRACT Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepren... more ABSTRACT Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepreneurs of suicide missions frame the necessity of violent behavior within the context of persuasive narratives to attract potential recruits. Herein we report results from an experiment to test factors involved with costly action linked to a persuasive narrative. We recruited 164 participants (M = 21, SD = 5.20) and measured hormones, electrodermal activity, and personality to predict who would be influenced by the narrative's message. We found that the persuasive narrative we tested resulted in costly action by those who are high-perspective takers and are more physiologically aroused by the narrative. The findings fill lacunae in the literature, providing a novel approach to examine costly behavior (like martyrdom missions) in the laboratory.
Neurophysiological compliance is a correlation of neurophysiological measures (synchronicity) bet... more Neurophysiological compliance is a correlation of neurophysiological measures (synchronicity) between individuals. Higher compliance among team members is related to better performance, and higher synchronicity occurs during emotional moments of a stimulus. The aim of the current study is to examine whether synchrony may be observable via peripheral nervous system (PNS) activity. We used inter-subject correlation (ISC) analysis to assess whether synchronicity of PNS measures are related to stimulus emotionality or similarity in behavioral responses. Participants viewed a 100-second emotional video, followed by an appeal to donate experimental earnings to a related chari-ty. We found high ISC for cardiac and electrodermal activity (EDA) between donors versus non-donors. For both groups, we found an association between ISC of cardiac activity and emotional moments in the stimulus. For non-donors we found an association between ISC of EDA and emotional moments. Our findings indicate that PNS measures yield similar results to neurophysiological measures.
Leveraging Neuroscientific and Neurotechnological (NeuroS&T) Developments with Focus on Influence and Deterrence in a Networked World. , 2014
Influence is a social process. Social cues dictate how an influence target attributes trust or t... more Influence is a social process. Social cues dictate how an influence target attributes trust or truthiness to an influence source. As such, influence is not purely calculative (or “rational”) as a myriad of both cognitive (thought) and affective (emotion) factors are involved in the process. The neuroscience of trust provides a framework for examining how emotions, pre-existing beliefs, and individual differences can impact influence at individual and group levels. In particular, the hormone oxytocin illustrates that influence can have ancient roots in our evolutionary development as a social species. Some highlights of this research are provided with a discussion of their implications to deterrence.
Foundations of Augmented Cognition. Advancing Human Performance and Decision-Making through Adaptive Systems , 2014
Neurophysiological compliance is a correlation of neurophysiological measures (synchronicity) bet... more Neurophysiological compliance is a correlation of neurophysiological measures (synchronicity) between individuals. Higher compliance among team members is related to better performance, and higher synchronicity occurs during emotional moments of a stimulus. The aim of the current study is to examine whether synchrony may be observable via peripheral nervous system (PNS) activity. We used inter-subject correlation (ISC) analysis to assess whether synchronicity of PNS measures are related to stimulus emotionality or similarity in behavioral responses. Participants viewed a 100-second emotional video, followed by an appeal to donate experimental earnings to a related chari-ty. We found high ISC for cardiac and electrodermal activity (EDA) between donors versus non-donors. For both groups, we found an association between ISC of cardiac activity and emotional moments in the stimulus. For non-donors we found an association between ISC of EDA and emotional moments. Our findings indicate that PNS measures yield similar results to neurophysiological measures.
Emotionally laden narratives are often used as persuasive appeals by charitable organizations. Wh... more Emotionally laden narratives are often used as persuasive appeals by charitable organizations. Why some people decide to act after an appeal while others do not may be partly due to their physiological reactivity to the narrative. In this study we tested whether autonomic and hormonal activity related to narrative exposure predicted subsequent giving. Participants viewed a brief story of a father’s experience with his 2- year old son who has terminal cancer. After viewing the story, participants were presented with an opportunity to donate some of their study earnings to a related charity. Several measures derived from cardiac and electrodermal activity during narrative exposure predicted donors versus non-donors. Moreover, we found that cardiac activity across the narrative was associated with peak moments of concern, as rated by an independent group of participants. Results suggest that the physiological resonance of a narrative can differentiate influence as indexed by narrative-related behavior.
This chapter reviews and puts into context recent findings on the role oxytocin (OT) in producing... more This chapter reviews and puts into context recent findings on the role oxytocin (OT) in producing prosocial behaviors in humans. We also connect this physiologic mechanism to psychological states that produce these behaviors, particularly empathy. Empathy causes one to attend to another’s plight, and can be a motivation to invest resources to assist someone in distress. An OT-empathy relationship has been suggested based on similar behavior effects, but several lines of emerging research appear to show that OT does instantiate the experience of empathy.
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) modulates functioning of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) ... more The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) modulates functioning of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and regulates a range of social processes. Clinical studies have used intranasal OT administration to treat symptoms arising from a number of psychiatric disorders including autism, schizophrenia, and depression. Most of this research, however, has been based on single dose treatments of OT in younger adult populations. The present study examined the impact on the health and psychological well-being of a 10-day OT administration in an older adult population. Residentially housed older adults (N= 41, mean age of 80) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants received 40 IU intranasal OT or placebo for 10 consecutive days. No changes in mood or cardiovascular states were observed across the 10-day period. Repeated-measures ANOVAs showed that dispositional gratitude improved for the OT infused participants, while gratitude declined for placebo controls over the 10 days (p = .015). Those in the OT condition did not report a decline in physical functioning over time as was observed in the placebo condition (p = .05), and also reported less fatigue compared to controls (p = .03). No significant adverse events were reported throughout the entirety of the study, indicating that OT can be safely used with older adults.
This essay introduces a neurologically-informed mathematical model of collective action (CA) that... more This essay introduces a neurologically-informed mathematical model of collective action (CA) that reveals the role for empathy and distress in motivating costly helping behaviors. We report three direct tests of model with a key focus on the neuropeptide oxytocin as well as a variety of indirect tests. These studies, from our lab and other researchers, show support for the model. Our findings indicate that empathic concern, via the brain's release of oxytocin, is a trigger for CA. We discuss the implications from this model for our understanding why human beings engage in costly CA.
This study examined if the prosocial effects of oxytocin (OT) extend from individuals to a genera... more This study examined if the prosocial effects of oxytocin (OT) extend from individuals to a generalized other who is in need. Participants played a series of economic games to earn money and were presented with an opportunity to donate a portion of their earnings to charity. OT did not significantly increase the decision to donate, but among the 36% of participants who did donate, people infused with OT were found to donate 48% more to charity than those given a placebo. The amount of money earned in the experiment had no effect on whether or not a donation was made or the size of a donation. This is the first study showing that OT increases generosity in unilateral exchanges directed toward philanthropic social institutions, as opposed to immediate benefits directed at individuals or groups.
Emotional expectations are likely to influence behavioral outcomes, even when entering novel situ... more Emotional expectations are likely to influence behavioral outcomes, even when entering novel situations. The present study proposed that positive emotional expectations would influence volunteer outcomes for new volunteers. New and continuing volunteers were recruited for a two-part longitudinal study. Study hypotheses were confirmed. Emotional expectations (i.e., sympathy, satisfaction) were positively associated with intentions to continue volunteering, identification with the volunteer role, and volunteer persistence six months later for new volunteers. For continuing volunteers, emotional expectations were only significantly and positively associated with volunteer role identity. Moreover, the intent to persist as a volunteer was found to have a stronger positive association with actual persistence for continuing volunteers than for new volunteers.
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