Jennifer A. Bartz

Research Areas:

Social & Personality | Behavioural Neuroscience

Research Summary:

Professor Bartz is interested in the factors—both individual difference and situational—that facilitate or hinder the prosocial, communal behaviors that are vital to developing and maintaining close relationships. Her research is grounded in empirical social psychology, but she draws upon methods from neuroscience and psychopharmacology to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying prosocial behavior. Although primarily aimed at answering basic scientific questions, her research also is designed to inform our understanding of and treatment of psychiatric disorders involving prominent social impairments (e.g., autism spectrum disorders, and borderline personality disorder).

Selected References:

Tchalova, K., Lydon, J. E., Atkinson, L., Fleming, A. S., Kennedy, J., Lecompte, V., Meaney, M. J., Moss, E., O’Donnell, K. A., O’Donnell, K. J., Sokolowski, M. B., Steiner, M., & Bartz, J. A. (in press). Variation in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) moderates the influence of maternal sensitivity on child attachment. Translational Psychiatry.

Gregory, A. J. P., Dirks, M., Nitschke, J. P., Wong, J., Human, L. J. Bartz, J. A. (2023). Association between depression symptoms and emotion communication dynamics. Clinical Psychological Science, 0(0). 

Tchalova, K., Beland, S., Chanda, M., Levitin, D. J., & Bartz, J. A. (2023). Shifting the sociometer: Opioid receptor blockade lowers self-esteem. Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience, 18(1), nsad017.

Nitschke, J. P., Pruessner, J. C., & Bartz, J. A. (2022). Stress and stress-induced glucocorticoids facilitate empathic accuracy in men, with no effects for women. Psychological Science, 33(10), 1783-1794.

Tchalova, K., Sadikaj, G., Moskowitz, D., Zuroff, D., & Bartz, J. A. (2019). Variation in the m-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) and experiences of felt security in response to a romantic partner’s quarrelsome behavior. Molecular Psychiatry, 26, 3847-3857.

Krol, S. A. & Bartz, J. A. (2021). The self and empathy: Lacking a clear and stable sense of self undermines empathy and helping behavior. Emotion. 

Sadikaj, G., Moskowitz, D., Zuroff, D., & Bartz, J. A. (2020). CD38 is associated with communal behavior, partner perceptions, felt security and relationship adjustment in romantic relationships. Scientific Reports, 20, (article no. 12926).

Krol, S. A., Thériault, R., Olsen, J. A., Raz, A., & Bartz, J. A. (2019). Self-concept clarity and the bodily self: Malleability across modalities. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 46, 808-820.

Bartz, J. A., Tchalova, K., Fenerci, C. (2016). Reminders of social connection can attenuate anthropomorphism: A replication and extension of Epley, Akalis, Waytz, and Cacioppo (2008). Psychological Science, 27, 1644–1650.

Bartz, J. A. (2016). Oxytocin and the pharmacological dissection of affiliation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 25, 104-10.

Bartz, J., Simeon, D., Hamilton, H., Kim, S. Crystal, S., Braun, A., Vincens, V., & Hollander, E. (2011) Oxytocin can hinder trust and cooperation in borderline personality disorder. Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience, 6, 556-63.

Bartz, J. A., Zaki, J., Bolger, N. & Ochsner, K. N. (2011). Social effects of oxytocin in humans: Context and person matter. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15, 301-9.

Bartz, J. A, Zaki, J., Bolger, N., Hollander, E., Ludwig, N. N., Kolevzon, A., & Ochsner, K. N. (2010). Oxytocin selectively improves empathic accuracy. Psychological Science, 21, 1426-1428.

Bartz, J. A., & Hollander, E. (2006). The neuroscience of affiliation: Forging links between basic and clinical research on neuropeptides and social behavior. Hormones and Behavior, 50, 518-528.