In a previous edition of "The Moral Molecule Under The Microscope", I talked about the role that oxytocin plays in female voles. Specifically, about the role that it has in how nurturing or negligent the vole can be towards its offspring or the offspring of others. The lack of oxytocin makes them more negligent and rejecting towards their own offspring while the abundance of it can make a female start caring for a baby that is not its own. But what is the role that oxytocin has in the males?
Sue Carter ran an experiment comparing two very similar species, the prairie voles and the meadow voles. Even thought they are very similar, there is a very clear difference in the behavior of males. Both species live in similar underground warrens, eat similar foods, face similar predators, and share a common ancestor. Nevertheless, on one hand, male prairie voles live peacefully in social groups, remain with their mates for life, and put time caring for their young. On the other hand, male meadow voles are loners and players. They do not get along with their neighbors and they move between females as fast as they can with no regard towards any offspring. Studying their brains, a very clear difference in oxytocin receptors came to light.
"So whether we're talking about bumping and grinding in the night, or bumping into another in the burrow, or bumping Junior up and down on Daddy's knee, it's oxytocin and its chemical partners making everyone more pro-social" (Paul J. Zak, The Moral Molecule)
When oxytocin is released, it generates a whole cascade of other chemicals that result in a feel-good sensation. This feel good sensation reinforces the behavior. For male prairie voles, oxytocin is released when around a familiar female or when it encounters its offspring. The fatherly behavior in them that induces it to "settle down" is associated with the oxytocin released in the situations mentioned above. Furthermore, the oxytocin released triggers the release of other two key neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine. Both play a role in our reinforcement systems. Serotonin reduces anxiety and puts you in a good mood. Dopamine is associated with goal-directed behaviors, drive, and reinforcement learning. This is not the case for the male meadow vole. They lack the oxytocin receptors necessary to pick up signals triggered by any of those social stimuli. This is what makes it the "young stud driving a pimped-out Trans Am"(Paul J. Zak, The Moral Molecule) that it is.
Before I end, I have a comment on the book itself. I expected this book to follow the anecdotal fashion with scientific sturdiness that is representative in scientific literature. Nevertheless, Zak's narrative is brilliant. Somehow, he is able to be funny, portray clearer pictures, and narrate everything as a story while also keeping his references in check. Therefore, it is an amazing read while staying true to science. I have greatly enjoyed this so far.
What do you think? I'd like to hear your opinions.
Sources:
- Carter, C. S., & Gertz, L. L. (1993). Monogamy and the Prairie Vole
- Ross, H. E., et al. (2009). Variation in Oxytocin Receptor Density in the Nucleus Accumbens has Differential Effects on Affiliative Behaviors in Monogamous and Polygamous Voles
If you want to check out other thoughts that this awesome book has evoked, click on these past posts:
- The Moral Molecule Under The Microscope #1: Witnessing An Act Of Trust Makes You Behave More Pro-Socially
- The Moral Molecule Under The Microscope #2: On An Erroneous And Antiquated Economic View Of Human Behavior
- The Moral Molecule Under The Microscope #3: On The Relation Of Oxytocin And Pro-Social Behavior
- The Moral Molecule Under The Microscope #4: On The Significance Of Oxytocin Modulating Our Behavior
- The Moral Molecule Under The Microscope #5: On Courtship
Best,
