As an integral ingredient of human sociality, dishonesty can be both egocentric and altruistic, as well as gradually escalate. Here, we examined the influence of arginine vasopressin (AVP), a neuropeptide associated with human prosocial behaviors, on dishonest behaviors in men and women. In this double-blind and placebo-controlled study, 101 participants were randomized to administration of either 20 IU intranasal AVP or placebo. We used a two-party task to manipulate the incentive structure of dishonesty in the way of self-/other-serving repeatedly. For lies that benefit both themselves and others, women receiving intranasal AVP lied more than women receiving intranasal placebo and men receiving intranasal AVP. The dishonest behavior of women treated with AVP gradually escalated with repetition over time. These results suggest that AVP selectively regulates the escalation of dishonesty in women, contingent on the motivation of dishonesty. Our findings provide insight into gender-specific modulations of AVP on human dishonest behavior.

作为人类社会不可或缺的组成部分，不诚实行为既可以以自我为中心，也可以是利他主义，并且可以逐步升级。在这里，我们研究了精氨酸加压素（AVP）（一种与人类亲社会行为相关的神经肽）对男女不诚实行为的影响。在这项双盲和安慰剂对照研究中，有101名参与者被随机分配了20 IU鼻内AVP或安慰剂。我们使用两方任务以重复自我服务/其他服务的方式操纵不诚实的激励结构。为了使自己和他人都受益，因为接受鼻内AVP的女性比接受鼻内安慰剂的女性和接受鼻内AVP的男性的谎言更多。随着时间的流逝，接受AVP治疗的女性的不诚实行为逐渐升级。这些结果表明，AVP根据不诚实的动机选择性地调节女性的不诚实升级。我们的发现提供了对人类不诚实行为对AVP的性别特定调节的见解。