How Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Act on Prosociality: The Mediation Role of Moral Evaluation.

Siyuan Shang,Yanjie Su,Nan Wu

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00396

Abstract

Prosociality is related to numerous positive outcomes, and mechanisms underlying individual differences in prosociality have been widely discussed. Recently, research has found converging evidence on the influence of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene on prosociality. Meanwhile, moral reasoning, a key precursor for social behavior, has also been associated with variability in OXTR gene, thus the relationship between OXTR and prosociality is assumed to be mediated by moral evaluation. The current study examines the relationship in question, and includes gender as a potential moderator. Self-reported prosociality on Prosocial Tendencies Measure and evaluation on the moral acceptability of behaviors in stories from 790 Chinese adolescents (32.4% boys) were analyzed for the influence of their OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Results showed that SNP at site rs2254298 was indirectly associated with prosocial behaviors via moral evaluation of behaviors, and this effect was moderated by gender. Our findings suggest an indirect association between genetic variations in OXTR and prosociality through moral evaluation, indicating the potential pathway from genetic variability to prosociality through level of moral development. We also provide some evidence that the role of oxytocin system may to some extent depend on gender. These findings may promote our understanding of the genetic and biological roots of prosociality and morality.

Highlights

Prosociality is an umbrella term for positive emotions, attitudes, and behaviors directed toward others (Israel et al, 2015), which lead to known beneficial outcomes, including higher self-esteem, and positive social interactions (Christ et al, 2016)
Studies show that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of this gene at rs2254298, a site in the third intron in the sequence, oxytocin receptor (OXTR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on Prosociality via Morality by Gender has impact on neuroanatomical correlates of social cognition in humans and subsequently on behavior (Brüne, 2012)
Parker et al (2014) found that carriers of A allele at rs2254298 (AA, AG) scored worse on social functioning than those with two G alleles. Consistent with these findings, carriers of A allele at rs2254298 among Chinese (Wu et al, 2005) and Japanese individuals (Liu et al, 2010), and of G allele among Caucasian individuals (Jacob et al, 2007) were found to have a higher risk for autism, of which social impairment was a core symptom (Quintana et al, 2015). These findings indicated the influence of OXTR gene on many facets associated with prosociality

Summary

Introduction

Prosociality is an umbrella term for positive emotions, attitudes, and behaviors directed toward others (Israel et al, 2015), which lead to known beneficial outcomes, including higher self-esteem, and positive social interactions (Christ et al, 2016). Parker et al (2014) found that carriers of A allele at rs2254298 (AA, AG) scored worse on social functioning than those with two G alleles Consistent with these findings, carriers of A allele at rs2254298 among Chinese (Wu et al, 2005) and Japanese individuals (Liu et al, 2010), and of G allele among Caucasian individuals (Jacob et al, 2007) were found to have a higher risk for autism, of which social impairment was a core symptom (Quintana et al, 2015). These findings indicated the influence of OXTR gene on many facets associated with prosociality. Empathic tendency might not be the only intermediate and more work is needed to show how the OXTR gene affects prosocial behavior

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Results

Conclusion