But less socially proficient participants performed significantly better on oxytocin, with their empathetic powers performance identical to that of the more outgoing participants.
Prof Jennifer Bartz, of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said: "Oxytocin is widely believed to make all people more empathetic and understanding of others.
"Our study contradicts that. Instead, oxytocin appears to be helpful only for those who are less socially proficient.
"Our data show that oxytocin selectively improves social cognition in people who are less socially proficient, but had little impact on more socially proficient individuals.
"While more research is required, these results highlight the potential oxytocin holds for treating social deficits in people with disorders marked by deficits in social functioning like autism."
Oxytocin – the love hormone – could cure shyness - Telegraph
I'm a shy person, and reading this article made me wonder - would I want to be cured of my social problem?
I'm not sure. On one hand, I would like to be more socially at ease and not clam up often. But on the other, I feel like rebelling against society's view of shy people - we have no personality, we're snobs, we only care about ourselves, etc. I think shyness should be seen as not a big deal by our loud mouth world. I mean, the world could use some peace and quiet now and then.
Thoughts?