HOPE, TRUST, AND RECIPROCITY: THREE ESSAYS ON DECISION MAKING

Abstract

This thesis aim to uncover the biological underpinning of trust, trustworthiness, and hope as attitude towards timing of uncertainty resolution, by using the rubrics of experimental economics and epigenetic approach. Chapter 1 provides evidence that trust and trustworthiness are associated with oxytocin system, but in opposite direction between males and females. Whereas in males oxytocin was positively correlated with trust, the opposite was found in females. Chapter 2 tested genomic mechanisms in relation to hope, as evidenced by attitude towards timing of resolution of uncertainty. Findings showed that oxytocin genes correlated with preferring early resolution of uncertainty. Chapter 3 examined whether relationship status modifies the link between oxytocin and attitude towards timing of resolution of uncertainty. Results provided evidence for an interaction between plasma levels of oxytocin and relationship status in explaining resolution of uncertainty.