Oxytocin-Gaze Positive Loop And The Coevolution Of Human-

The scientific paper “Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds” presents the theory that an oxytocin-mediated positive loop that is mediated by gaze exists between humans and dogs, and was coevolved in both species in order to facilitate human-dog bonding. It tests that theory via the performance of two experiments; in the first experiment, they examined whether a dog’s gazing behavior had any effect on the urinary oxytocin concentrations in dogs and their owners during a 30 minute interaction, and also examined hand raised wolves and their trainers in order to test whether any findings were due to possible coevolution, or if it was due to early life experiences with humans. The results of that experiment showed that

They found that the intranasal administration of oxytocin increased the gazing behavior of female dogs which in turn significantly increased the oxytocin levels in their owners. Although they found it strange that only female dogs seemed to be effected by the oxytocin administration, they concluded that it likely had to do with the administered oxytocin affecting the male animals differently, causing them to be more vigilant. The paper then concluded that the results of their experiments supported the theory of a self-perpetuating oxytocin-meditated positive loop existing in human-dog relationships caused by

The introduction was also well written, and gave a few good examples as to why they felt that a gaze mediated oxytocin positive loop likely coevolved between humans and dogs. The introduction was also good in explaining what oxytocin was, and how it worked. They also stated what a gaze mediated oxytocin positive loop was, and gave a good example of it and how it worked as well. The hypothesis, and what they were testing for was also presented in a precise and orderly manner which made it easy to understand just what they were doing and why. The tables and graphs presented in the paper were also fairly easy to read and understand, and the notes explaining what was represented on the graphs were not hard to understand which also really helped to see just how significant a difference the change in oxytocin levels was for the experiments. The fact that they conducted the first experiment with wolves as well as dogs was also a plus for the paper as it helped to give credence to the theory of the gaze dependent loop being a result of coevolution as the significant oxytocin increase only occurred in the humans and dogs that gazed at each other for a long time. Another strong point of this paper was the way they explained the results, and how they explained that the results help to support their hypothesis. The way they explained the