2019/01/01 by René Hurlemann, Nina Marsh
Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology · #Altruism (biology) #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics #Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior #Internal medicine #Medicine #Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior #Neuropeptide #Neuroscience #Oxytocin #Political science #Psychology #Receptor #Relevance (law) #Social psychology
paper · doi:10.1017/s0140525x19000785
openalex publication_date 2019/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Current psychological perspectives emphasize "attack" and "defense" as the behavioral mechanisms underlying conflict. Here, we extend this view by highlighting the relevance of pathological altruism and the neuroendocrine pathways associated with hostile behaviors. Specifically, we elucidate the modulatory role of the neuropeptide hormone oxytocin in motivating extraordinary levels of in-group commitment that can promote extreme behaviors and endure conflict with out-groups.