Abstract
Oxytocin is a primary neuropeptide which coordinates affiliative behavior. Previous researchers pointed to the association between genetic vulnerability on Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) and environmental factors (e.g., social relationships) to comprehend social behavior. Although an extensive knowledge of in-person social interactions has been obtained, little is known about online sociability. A gene-environment perspective is adopted to examine how OXTR and adult attachment moderate Instagram behavior. The genetic factors within the regions OXTR/rs53576 (A/A homozygotes vs G-carriers) and OXTR/rs2254298 (G/G homozygotes vs A-carriers) were assessed. The Experience in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire was used to collect participants' (N = 57, 16 males) attachment with a partner. The number of posts, followed people (“followings”) and followers were obtained from Instagram, and the Social Desirability Index (SDI) was calculated as the ratio of followers to followings. Interaction effects between OXTR groups and ECR-R scores on the number of posts and SDI were hypothesized. Results showed an effect of rs53576 on the number of Instagram followings. Specifically, people with A/A OXTR/rs53576 genotype had more followings than G-carriers independent of the anxiety or avoidance felt towards their partner. These preliminary results offer insights into future investigations on social media behavior.
Highlights
People forge social bonds throughout their life, from the first sight of their primary caregiver to the affection felt for their partner
The present data refer to the 57 participants which completed the entire assessment across three levels: genetic (OXTR/rs53576; Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR)/rs2254298), behavioral (Experience in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire) and Instagram data collections
Preliminary analysis on the genetic variables When excluding the outlier values, the genetic distributions varied in relation to the Instagram variable that was considered for the analysis
Summary
People forge social bonds throughout their life, from the first sight of their primary caregiver to the affection felt for their partner. Social attitudes have a re-creative value, but they are crucial for the development of social and life skills. The role of the oxytocin receptor gene on socialization. In the field of behavioral genetics on sociability, some authors have focused on the genes that rule the levels of oxytocin regulated by the Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR). As candidate substrates of early and long term epigenetic changes and mediators of caregiving affect social behavior throughout human development [11, 12], oxytocin receptors are mapped in brain areas that are typically involved in reproductive, social and adaptive behaviors, such as the limbic system and the brainstem [13, 14].
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