TED Talk: Paul Zak - Trust, Morality — and Oxytocin

This interesting TED Talk was reposted with a brief introduction at Channel N, the podcast blog from Psych Central.

Paul Zak and Oxytocin
By SANDRA KIUME

Paul Zak: Trust, morality — and oxytocin


What drives our desire to behave morally? 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.

The “morality molecule” and trust, experimental design and his investigation process, and economic games. A game asking people to send money to strangers measured oxytocin and found those with higher levels send more in return. Oxytocin increases altruism, charity, and praying. Empathy is elevated and in turn, Zak says “it’s empathy that makes us moral.” He enjoys giving hugs and says, “Dr Love says eight hugs a day and the world will be a happier place.”