--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Naturally, things are more complicated…" description: "\"Naturally, things are more complicated - those groovy, pro-social effects of oxytocin apply to how we interact with in-group members.\" — Robert M. Sapo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e11/robert-m-sapolsky-1166_complicated_naturally-things-are-more-complicated-th_1446276.png" --- # Naturally, things are more complicated - those groovy… ![“Naturally, things are more complicated - those groovy, pro-social effects of oxytocin apply to how we interact with in-group members.” quote by Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e11/robert-m-sapolsky-1166_complicated_naturally-things-are-more-complicated-th_1446276.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e11/robert-m-sapolsky-1166_complicated_naturally-things-are-more-complicated-th_1446276.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e11/robert-m-sapolsky-1166_complicated_naturally-things-are-more-complicated-th_1446276.png) > “Naturally, things are more complicated - those groovy, pro-social effects of oxytocin apply to how we interact with in-group members.” [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Oxytocin influences group dynamics, but its effects are complex and context‑dependent. **In simple terms:** Oxytocin shapes how we treat in‑group members. Key Takeaway Consider the nuance of social chemistry. Themes biology social behavior group dynamics Mood analytical cautious Type scientific educational When to use this quote - team building - conflict resolution - community programs Key Concepts neuroscience psychology evolutionary theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance trust and fairness? - What safeguards reduce in‑group favoritism? A Different Perspective Oxytocin can also increase bias against out‑groups. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [Effects Oxytocin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects-oxytocin-5189346/) [Groovy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groovy/) [Groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groups/) [Hormone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hormone/) [Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members/) [Oxytocin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oxytocin/) [Oxytocin Apply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oxytocin-apply-5189347/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-effects-2553519/) [Things Complicated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-complicated-265201/) ## Related quotes > [Forceful actions arising from erroneous beliefs often create social effects that confirm the misbeliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-bandura/forceful-actions-arising-from-erroneous-beliefs-often-create-social/) [Albert Bandura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-bandura/) > [The "Be good" concept also comes up when we design our products. We want them to have positive social effects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-page/the-be-good-concept-also-comes-up-when-we-design-our-products-we-want/) [Larry Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-page/) > [Oxytocin is a Teflon hormone - bad news rolls off it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/oxytocin-is-a-teflon-hormone-bad-news-rolls-off-it/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [Oxytocin is lauded for how it promotes warmth, generosity, social bonding, cooperation, trust, and compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/oxytocin-is-lauded-for-how-it-promotes-warmth-generosity-social/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [Give lab rats oxytocin and, according to that meme, they get better at talking about their feelings and sing like Joan Baez.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/give-lab-rats-oxytocin-and-according-to-that-meme-they-get-better-at/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“Oxytocin, the luv hormone, makes us more prosocial to Us and worse to everyone else. That’s not generic prosociality. That’s ethnocentrism and xenophobia. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/oxytocin-the-luv-hormone-makes-us-more-prosocial-to-us-and-worse-to/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“women with variants of genes that produce higher levels of oxytocin or oxytocin receptors average higher levels of touching their infants and more synchronized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/women-with-variants-of-genes-that-produce-higher-levels-of-oxytocin/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“So oxytocin is central to female mammals nursing, wanting to nurse their child, and remembering which one is their child.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/so-oxytocin-is-central-to-female-mammals-nursing-wanting-to-nurse/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“Obviously, oxytocin and vasopressin are the grooviest hormones in the universe. Pour them into the water supply, and people will be more charitable, trusting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/obviously-oxytocin-and-vasopressin-are-the-grooviest-hormones-in-the/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“there are studies showing that one oxytocin receptor gene variant is associated with extreme aggression in kids, as well as a callous, unemotional style…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/there-are-studies-showing-that-one-oxytocin-receptor-gene-variant-is/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“Infuse oxytocin into the brain of a virgin rat, and she’ll act maternally—retrieving, grooming, and licking pups. Block the actions of oxytocin in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/infuse-oxytocin-into-the-brain-of-a-virgin-rat-and-she-ll-act-2/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“Thus, oxytocin and vasopressin facilitate bonding between parent and child and between couples.fn10 Now for something truly charming that evolution has cooked up recently.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/thus-oxytocin-and-vasopressin-facilitate-bonding-between-parent-and/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“For starters, circulating oxytocin levels are elevated in couples when they’ve first hooked up. Furthermore, the higher the levels, the more physical affection, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/for-starters-circulating-oxytocin-levels-are-elevated-in-couples-when/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“Infuse oxytocin into the brain of a virgin rat, and she’ll act maternally—retrieving, grooming, and licking pups. Block the actions of oxytocin in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/infuse-oxytocin-into-the-brain-of-a-virgin-rat-and-she-ll-act/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [To out-group-members, oxytocin makes you crappier - less cooperative and more preemptively aggressive. It's not the luv hormone. It's the in-group parochialism/xenophobia hormone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/to-out-group-members-oxytocin-makes-you-crappier-less-cooperative-and/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) ## More by Robert M. Sapolsky > [“Secure-attachment 7Rs show more generosity than average. Thus 7R has something to do with generosity—but its effect is entirely context dependent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/secure-attachment-7rs-show-more-generosity-than-average-thus-7r-has/) [Robert M. 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Testosterone increases anxiety—you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/so-testosterone-does-subtle-things-to-behavior-nonetheless-this-doesn/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“pain makes aggressive people more aggressive, while doing the opposite to unaggressive individuals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/pain-makes-aggressive-people-more-aggressive-while-doing-the-opposite/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“Thus, for our purposes, genes aren’t about inevitability. Instead they’re about context-dependent tendencies, propensities, potentials, and vulnerabilities. All embedded in the fabric of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/thus-for-our-purposes-genes-aren-t-about-inevitability-instead-they/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“If we accept that there will always be sides, it’s a nontrivial to-do list item to always be on the side of angels. Distrust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/if-we-accept-that-there-will-always-be-sides-it-s-a-nontrivial-to-do/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“In other words, the more genomically complex the organism, the larger the percentage of the genome devoted to gene regulation by the environment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/in-other-words-the-more-genomically-complex-the-organism-the-larger/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“The subject of one experiment is a rat that receives mild electric shocks (roughly equivalent to the static shock you might get from scuffing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/the-subject-of-one-experiment-is-a-rat-that-receives-mild-electric/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“No brain region is an island, and the formation of circuits connecting far-flung brain regions is crucial—how else can the frontal cortex use its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/no-brain-region-is-an-island-and-the-formation-of-circuits-connecting/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“We process emotionally salient information more rapidly and automatically, but with less accuracy. 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Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“some people always get more than their share of equality than others”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/some-people-always-get-more-than-their-share-of-equality-than-others/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [It's probably even the case that if you stoked up some Buddhist monks with tons of testosterone, they'd become wildly competitive as to who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/it-s-probably-even-the-case-that-if-you-stoked-up-some-buddhist-monks/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) [Explore all 280 Robert M. Sapolsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) ## More Complicated quotes > [Of course I like you. It's because I like you I don't wanna be with you. It's a complicated emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlin/of-course-i-like-you-it-s-because-i-like-you-i-don-t-wanna-be-with/) [Marlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlin/) > [“Why the hell did he have to be so complicated? One minute he was charming, the next he withdrew behind his internal walls.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lia-davis/why-the-hell-did-he-have-to-be-so-complicated-one-minute-he-was/) [Lia Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lia-davis/) > [Life is more complicated than we think, yet far simpler than anyone dares to imagine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-durrell/life-is-more-complicated-than-we-think-yet-far-simpler-than-anyone/) [Lawrence Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-durrell/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [We animals are the most complicated things in the known universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-animals-are-the-most-complicated-things-in-the-known-universe/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Programmers are always surrounded by complexity; we cannot avoid it… If our basic tool, the language in which we design and code our programs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hoare/programmers-are-always-surrounded-by-complexity-we-cannot-avoid-it-if/) [Tony Hoare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hoare/) > [“Just because it's complicated, just because you think you can't ever know everything about another person, it doesn't mean you can't try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-semple/just-because-it-s-complicated-just-because-you-think-you-can-t-ever/) [Maria Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-semple/) > [The one thing I absolutely hate about social media are the people who abuse it. Whenever I see a person who constantly posts negative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazmin-garcia/the-one-thing-i-absolutely-hate-about-social-media-are-the-people-who/) [Jazmin Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazmin-garcia/) > [I think the ethics and morals of genetic engineering are very complicated. It intrigues me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-spottiswoode/i-think-the-ethics-and-morals-of-genetic-engineering-are-very/) [Roger Spottiswoode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-spottiswoode/) > [Your Starbucks order is directly proportional to how complicated your personality is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin/your-starbucks-order-is-directly-proportional-to-how-complicated-your/) [Kevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin/) > [Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics-when-united-with-it-sometimes/) [Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/) > [I have learned so much from my dad. 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They're not complicated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-maxwell/two-people-could-build-an-outhouse-in-four-hours-they-re-not/) [Robert Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-maxwell/) [Browse all 3,190 Complicated quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Naturally, things are more complicated - those groovy, pro-social effects of oxytocin apply to how we interact with in-group members.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert M. 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