TED Talk: Trust, morality – and oxytocin

I heard about “eight hugs a day” months ago. I have brought it up in conversation a dozen times since. Glad the video is finally out.

Where does morality come from — physically, in the brain? In this talk neuroeconomist Paul Zak shows why he believes oxytocin (he calls it “the moral molecule”) is responsible for trust, empathy, and other feelings that help build a stable society.

Some interesting points:

• Countries with high numbers of trustworthy people are more prosperous.
• In an experiment, the more money a person received (trust), the more money they would voluntarily return (trustworthiness). Oxytocin increased with trust.
• Massage, dancing, praying increase oxytocin.
• A con works by schemer demonstrating he or she trusts the victim which produces trustworthiness.
• Trust key to society and species survival.
• Using social media produces increases in oxytocin.
• Give eight hugs a day to make yourself happier.

If the below video does not work, then click Trust, morality – and oxytocin.