Influence of Oxytocin on Neurophysiological Responses to Live Faces

Previous research has indicated that direct eye gaze compared to averted gaze, elicits a higher skin conductance response (SCR), and a more pronounced left frontal cortex activity than right frontal cortex activity (resulting in positive asymmetry scores). On a behavioral level, participants tend to look shorter at live faces with a direct gaze as compared to averted gaze (Akechi et al., 2013). Further, subjective evaluations showed that a direct gaze is rated more arousing and less pleasant than an averted gaze (Akechi et al., 2013; Hietanen, Leppänen, Peltola, Linna-aho, \& Ruuhiala, 2008). Importantly, oxytocin administration increases the number of fixations and to looking time towards the eye region during live social interaction. Further, oxytocin has been shown to influence SCR and heart rate variability. Therefore, it is conceivable that oxytocin will not only influence the gaze duration of the participant, but also the physiological and neurological responses elicited by direct eye gaze. In this study, the investigators will investigate whether oxytocin modulates the behavioural (eye gaze and subjective ratings), neurological (EEG) and physiological (skin conductance, heart rate and respiration) responses elicited by direct gaze.