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.


5 responses to “TED Talk: Trust, morality – and oxytocin”

  1. […] TED Talks: Trust, morality – and oxytocin (ezrasf.com) […]

  2. […] TED Talks: Trust, morality – and oxytocin (ezrasf.com) […]

  3. […] TED Talks: Trust, morality – and oxytocin (ezrasf.com) […]

  4. […] days, I think oxytocin generating trust is responsible. Email is just text and misunderstandings happen when the reader […]

  5. […] days, I think oxytocin generating trust is responsible. Email is just text and misunderstandings happen when the reader […]

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