Graduation Year
2015
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Biology
Reader 1
Paul Zak
Reader 2
Jessica Malisch
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2014 Amira Athanasios
Abstract
Oxytocin is a neurohormone that has been correlated with lactation, uterine-contractions, postpartum behavior, pro-social behavior, trust, empathy, and decreased anxiety. In addition, oxytocin is believed to underscore the tend-and-befriend response to stress. In this study, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and oxytocin levels were measured in response to a social stressor in human participants. Oxytocin was initially seen to increase with ACTH and cortisol in response to a social stressor. As levels of oxytocin increase, levels of ACTH and cortisol were shown to decrease or plateau. I conclude that oxytocin is released in response to a perceived stressor and display inhibitory effects over ACTH and cortisol.
Recommended Citation
Athanasios, Amira, "Oxytocin, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and Cortisol: Roles of Oxytocin in the Stress Response" (2015). Scripps Senior Theses. 570.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/570
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
