Oxytocin Released By Phone Call From Mom
Some of the most powerful cognitive designs work because they trigger powerful neurochemicals that act as natural drugs in our brains and bodies. With the right mix of features and functions a design can produce dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, Oxytocin and other high-octane sources of mental energy.
An interesting recent example, For Comfort, Mom’s Voice Works Well as Hug, was reported on in the ScienceDaily. Research on young girls under stress showed that they released as much Oxytocin when receiving a hug from their mother as they did a phone call. This has interesting cognitive design implications especially if it holds for other socialization-driven neurotransmitter effects.
