Oxytocin Effect on Collective Decision Making: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Study.

Hertz U, Kelly M, Rutledge RB, Winston J, Wright N, Dolan RJ, Bahrami B

PloS one12 Apr 2016Cited by 6 (Europe PMC)

PMID27070542PMCIDPMC4829266DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0153352PepBankPUB-27070542

Summary

Collective decision making often benefits both the individuals and the group in a variety of contexts. However, for the group to be successful, individuals should be able to strike a balance between their level of competence and their influence on the collective decisions. The hormone oxytocin has been shown to promote trust, conformism and attention to social cues. We wondered if this hormone may increase participants' (unwarranted) reliance on their partners' opinion, resulting in a reduction in collective benefit by disturbing the balance between influence and competence. To test this hypothesis we employed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design in which male dyads self-administered intranasal oxytocin or placebo and then performed a visual search task together. Compared to placebo, collective benefit did not decrease under oxytocin. Using an exploratory time dependent analysis, we observed increase in collective benefit over time under oxytocin. Moreover, trial-by-trial analysis showed that under oxytocin the more competent member of each dyad was less likely to change his mind during disagreements, while the less competent member showed a greater willingness to change his mind and conform to the opinion of his more reliable partner. This role-dependent effect may be mediated by enhanced monitoring of own and other's performance level under oxytocin. Such enhanced social learning could improve the balance between influence and competence and lead to efficient and beneficial collaboration.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In an exploratory time-dependent analysis in male dyads, collective benefit increased over time under oxytocin.
In plain wordsIn pairs of men, an exploratory analysis found the pair's joint performance rose over time under oxytocin.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseCollective benefit over time
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Exploratory
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Using an exploratory time dependent analysis, we observed increase in collective benefit over time under oxytocin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To test this hypothesis we employed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design in which male dyads self-administered intranasal oxytocin or placebo and then performed a visual search task together.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2707054202
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In male dyads, collective benefit did not decrease under oxytocin compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn pairs of men, oxytocin did not reduce how well the pair did together, compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeCollective benefit in a joint visual search task
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Compared to placebo, collective benefit did not decrease under oxytocin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To test this hypothesis we employed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design in which male dyads self-administered intranasal oxytocin or placebo and then performed a visual search task together.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2707054201
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
Under oxytocin, the more competent member of each dyad was less likely to change his mind during disagreements.
In plain wordsUnder oxytocin, the more skilled man in each pair was less likely to change his mind in disagreements.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseChanging mind during disagreements, more competent member
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
under oxytocin the more competent member of each dyad was less likely to change his mind during disagreements
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To test this hypothesis we employed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design in which male dyads self-administered intranasal oxytocin or placebo and then performed a visual search task together.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2707054203
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
Under oxytocin, the less competent member of each dyad showed a greater willingness to change his mind and conform to his more reliable partner.
In plain wordsUnder oxytocin, the less skilled man in each pair was more willing to change his mind and follow his partner.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseWillingness to change mind, less competent member
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
while the less competent member showed a greater willingness to change his mind and conform to the opinion of his more reliable partner.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To test this hypothesis we employed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design in which male dyads self-administered intranasal oxytocin or placebo and then performed a visual search task together.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2707054204

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:49 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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