Oxytocin and Romantic Bonding
Oxytocin, a peptide hormone produced in the hypothalamus, plays a central role in forming and maintaining romantic bonds. Research by Feldman (2012) demonstrates that the oxytocin system used in parent-infant attachment is repurposed for adult romantic bonding. Kosfeld et al. (2005) showed that intranasal oxytocin increases trust in economic games, while physical touch between partners significantly elevates oxytocin levels (Light et al., 2005). However, oxytocin also has a 'dark side,' strengthening in-group bias and exclusivity (De Dreu et al., 2010). Individual differences in Big Five traits, particularly agreeableness and neuroticism, relate to oxytocin sensitivity, affecting how couples benefit from physical intimacy.