Oxytocin, but not vasopressin, decreases willingness to harm others by promoting moral emotions of guilt and shame

Abstract

Prosocial and moral behaviors have overlapping neural systems but whether they involve similar neurochemical systems is unclear. In the current pre-registered randomized placebo controlled trial on 180 adult male and female subjects we investigated effects of intranasal administration of two prosocial neuropeptides, oxytocin or vasopressin, on moral emotion ratings for situations involving accidental or intentional harm to others and in judgments of moral dilemmas where harm is inflicted for a greater good. Oxytocin, but not vasopressin, enhanced feelings of guilt and shame only for intentional harm and reduced endorsement of choices where direct intentional harm to others could achieve a greater good. Effects of oxytocin on guilt and shame were partially mediated by trait empathy. Overall, findings demonstrate for the first time that oxytocin, but not vasopressin, promotes unwillingness to deliberately harm others irrespective of the consequences. This may reflect stronger associations between oxytocin and empathy and vasopressin with aggression.