Abstract
Background: In the present study, the relation between a polymorphic marker within the OXTR gene (rs53576) and gazing behavior during two separate social interaction tasks was examined. Gazing behavior was considered to be an integral part of belonging regulation processes. Methods: We conducted an observational interaction study (N = 116; 58 dyads) in a naturalistic setting. Participants were seated face to face with hidden cameras positioned behind them. Each couple was instructed to have two short conversations about daily topics (nightlife in the city and movies), separated by a distraction task. We studied the role of the OXTR gene in relation to gaze duration (total duration and mean duration per event) at the interaction partner, both for the total interaction and for the first and second halves of the interaction, separately. Results: Analyses showed a significant relationship between the OXTR genetic variant and mean gaze duration at the interaction partner. Individuals carrying an A-allele showed increased gaze duration. This genetic association was particularly present during the first half of the conversation. In the second interaction task, we confirmed the findings that A-allele carriers showed longer mean gaze duration. No associations were found for total gaze duration. Conclusions: The OXTR A-allele was associated with longer mean gaze duration at an unknown interaction partner, especially during the first halves of the interaction times. This might illustrate that A-carriers, compared to GG-homozygous individuals, need slightly more time to read the micro socio-emotional facial cues of a new interaction partner or need more time for social reconciliation processes. This could be indicative of a genetic liability for being less vulnerable to pick up new micro social cues.
Highlights
Social relationships are essential in human development
The Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) gene is an interesting candidate gene as it encodes oxytocin receptors localized in several brain structures (Meyer-Lindenberg, 2008; Meyer-Lindenberg, Domes, Kirsch, & Heinrichs, 2011) that are involved in social processes aimed at social bonding
Paired T-tests showed that total gaze duration differed significantly between Tasks 1 and 2 in that gazing times were longer in the first interaction task (t (114) = 4.92, p < 0.001)
Summary
Social relationships are essential in human development. Having close social bonds is associated with several positive outcomes, whereas social exclusion is related to decreases in wellbeing and psychological health (Leary, 1990; Masten et al, 2009). An essential feature for this is to attend to or to gaze at relevant social information in the environment This cognitive-behavioral model (Gardner, Pickett, Jefferis, & Knowles, 2005) is based on some empirical research (Baumeister, Brewer, Tice, & Twenge, 2007; Blackhart, Baumeister, & Twenge, 2006; Cacioppo, Norris, Decety, Monteleone, & Nusbaum, 2009; Gere & MacDonald, 2010; Hawkley et al, 2007), up till there has been a lack of research examining associated biological markers that could explain inter-individual differences with regard to these processes. Conclusions: The OXTR A-allele was associated with longer mean gaze duration at an unknown interaction partner, especially during the first halves of the interaction times This might illustrate that A-carriers, compared to GG-homozygous individuals, need slightly more time to read the micro socio-emotional facial cues of a new interaction partner or need more time for social reconciliation processes. This could be indicative of a genetic liability for being less vulnerable to pick up new micro social cues
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