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Oxytocin is a primary neuropeptide which coordinates affiliative behavior. Previous researchers pointed to the association between genetic vulnerability on Oxytocin Receptor Gene (OXTR) and environmental factors (e.g., social relationships) to comprehend social behavior. Although an extensive knowledge of in-person social interactions has been obtained, little is known about online sociability. A gene-environment perspective is adopted to examine how OXTR and adult attachment moderate Instagram behavior. The genetic factors within the regions OXTR/rs53576 (A/A homozygotes vs G-carriers) and OXTR/rs2254298 (G/G homozygotes vs A-carriers) were assessed. The Experience in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire was used to collect participants' (N = 57, 16 males) attachment with a partner. The number of posts, followed people (“followings”) and followers were obtained from Instagram, and the Social Desirability Index (SDI) was calculated as the ratio of followers to followings. Interaction effects between OXTR groups and ECR-R scores on the number of posts and SDI were hypothesized. Results showed an effect of rs53576 on the number of Instagram followings. Specifically, people with A/A OXTR/rs53576 genotype had more followings than G-carriers independent of the anxiety or avoidance felt towards their partner. These preliminary results offer insights into future investigations on social media behavior., Gene*Environment; Adult attachment; Close relationship; Oxytocin Receptor Gene; rs53576; rs2254298; Online behavior; Social media; Social network; Instagram

Social networking sites have determined radical changes in human life, demanding investigations on online socialization mechanisms. The knowledge acquired on in-person sociability could guide researchers to consider both environmental and genetic features as candidates of online socialization. Here, we explored the impact of the quality of adult attachment and the genetic properties of the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR) on Instagram social behavior. Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire was adopted to assess 57 Instagram users’ attachment pattern in close relationships with partners. Genotypes from the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 region were extracted from the users’ buccal mucosa and analyzed. Users’ Instagram social behavior was examined from four indexes: number of posts, number of followed users (“followings”) and number of followers, and the Social Desirability Index calculated from the followers to followings ratio. Although no interaction between rs25531 and ECR-R dimensions was found, an association between avoidance in close relationships and Instagram number of followings emerged. Post hoc analyses revealed adult avoidance from the partner predicts the Instagram number of followings with good evidence. Moreover, users reporting high avoidance levels displayed fewer followings than users who reported low levels of avoidance. This research provides a window into the psychobiological understanding of online socialization on Instagram. Ministry of Education (MOE) Nanyang Technological University Published version This research was supported by grants from the NAP SUG (M4081597, 2015-2021) and the Singapore Ministry of Education ACR Tier 1 (RG149/16 and RT10/19) to G.E.

Human faces are relevant stimuli that capture attention, provide information about group belonging and elicit automatic prepared responses. While early experiences with other race faces plays a critical role in acquiring face expertise, the exact mechanism through which it exerts its influence is still to be elucidated. In particular, the influence of genetic factors and the role of a multi-ethnic context has not been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate how caregiving experiences with nannies and oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) genotypes interact in regulating other-race categorisation mechanisms in adults. Information about single nucleotide polymorphisms of the OXTR (rs53576) and experiences with own- and other-race nannies was collected from 89 Singaporean adults, who completed a visual categorization task of face stimuli (Chinese or Javanese). Participants were grouped into A/A homozygotes and G-carriers and assigned a score to account for the type of nanny experience. A General Linear Model was used to estimate the effect of nanny experience, genetic group and their interaction on categorization reaction time. A significant main effect of the nanny experience (pHighlightsEarly nanny experience interacts with oxytocin receptor genotype in affecting the speed of face categorisation.Individuals with other-race nanny experience show faster categorisation response times. Gene-environment interactions are present in face categorisation.

The other-race face recognition deficit is a robust finding in the literature on facial processing in humans. Although previous models of the other-race effect have proposed the role of experience and interracial contact, genetics have not been examined in the context of other-race face recognition. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene-environment interaction between early caregiving experience and oxytocin receptor gene genotypes with other-race face recognition in adults. Eighty-nineSingaporean adults gave information on their early caregiving experiences with own- and other-race caregivers and genotyping of their oxytocin receptor gene (rs53576) was also conducted. Participants completed a visual categorization task where they identified the race of a face (Chinese or Javanese) and their categorization response time was measured. A significant main effect of early caregiving experience was found where reaction time was significantly slower in individuals with no other-racecaregiving experience than individuals with other-race caregiving experience. In addition, only non-G carriers of rs53576 without other-race caregiving experience had a significantly slower reaction time compared to non-G carriers with other-race caregivers. This was not observed in G carriers, indicating a gene-environment interaction. These results highlight the role of early interracial contact on other-race face recognition and its interaction with genetics. Future studies can employ a longitudinaldesign for further insight into this gene-environment interaction across development.