Oxytocin and Human Exploitation: Oxytocin, the Trust Hormone and its Exploitation in Social Engineering

This paper examines the fascinating dual function of oxytocin, popularly called the 'trust hormone.' Beyond its social bonding and trust-building reputation, oxytocin is increasingly used by social engineers, particularly in digital communication. Tracing the neurochemical pathways of oxytocin, we examine its influence on empathy and decision making and the potential for manipulation. Social engineers who use the effects of oxytocin in concert with dopamine exploit these processes through methods of building rapport and emotional influence. Attack case studies in the real world show the application of these methods and the importance of ethical considerations as well as the risks of pervasive digital influence. With social connections increasingly digitalized, it is important to understand the influence of oxytocin on behavior shaping to inform personal defense. This paper identifies awareness and education as the keys to resisting these new dangers and offers insights to increase the resilience of the individual and the organization to influence. Increased awareness can mitigate the risks of oxytocin's dual function in human connection and susceptibility to influence.