Abstract: Oxytocin is often called the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone". Recently, interest in human oxytocin has been shifted from studying its role in parturition and lactation to understanding its impact on human social behavior. Research methods include urine, blood and cerebrospinal measurement, nasal spray through nostrils and genotyping. Studies have focused on the impacts of oxytocin on human social behavior, including social relationship, social decision-making, social information processing, social memory and anxiety. Recently, researchers have examined the therapeutic potential of oxytocin in the treatment of psychopathological diseases, including autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. Further studies should focus on its clinical application, side effect and neural mechanisms.

Key words: oxytocin, human social behavior, interpersonal relationship, social cognition, anxiety