Understanding the complexities of social behavior involves exploring both macro-level socio-cultural dynamics and micro-level neurobiological mechanisms. This dissertation presents findings from two experimental studies aimed at shedding light on different facets of social behavior. The first study focuses on the concept of the metacontingency, which involves the recurring interlocking behaviors of multiple individuals resulting in an aggregate outcome. This study examines the possibility of interlocking behavioral classes within social interactions. By employing experimental methodologies analogous to those used at the operant level, the study investigates whether natural units of interlocked behaviors emerge. The second study investigates the neuromodulatory role of oxytocin (OT) in social behavior, focusing on its effects on social reinforcement and punishment sensitivity. Utilizing a rat model and targeting the prefrontal cortex, this study explores how OT modulates the sensitivity of social consequences with both familiar cage mates and unfamiliar stranger rats. Together, these studies contribute to a comprehensive understanding of social behavior by highlighting behavioral processes at different levels of analysis.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc2356188 |
| Date | 07 1900 |
| Creators | Lopez, Carlos Ramiro |
| Contributors | Becker, April, Ortu, Daniele, Rosales-Ruiz, Jesus |
| Publisher | University of North Texas |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | Text |
| Rights | Public, Lopez, Carlos Ramiro, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved. |
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