OXTR polymorphism predicts social relationships through its effects on social temperament.

ABSTRACT: Humans have a fundamental need for strong interpersonal bonds, yet individuals differ appreciably in their degree of social integration. That these differences are also substantially heritable has spurred interest in biological mechanisms underlying the quality and quantity of individuals' social relationships. We propose that polymorphic variation in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) associates with complex social behaviors and social network composition through intermediate effects on negative affectivity and the psychological processing of socially relevant information. We tested a hypothesized social cascade from the molecular level (OXTR variation) to the social environment, through negative affectivity and inhibited sociality, in a sample of 1295 men and women of European American (N

SUBMITTER: Creswell KG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4448032 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature