AUTHOR=Zak Paul, Barraza Jorge TITLE=The neurobiology of collective action JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience VOLUME=7 YEAR=2013 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2013.00211 DOI=10.3389/fnins.2013.00211 ISSN=1662-453X ABSTRACT=This essay introduces a neurologically-informed mathematical model of collective action (CA) that reveals the role for empathy and distress in motivating costly helping behaviors. We report three direct tests of model with a key focus on the neuropeptide oxytocin as well as a variety of indirect tests. These studies, from our lab and other researchers, show support for the model. Our findings indicate that empathic concern, via the brain's release of oxytocin, is a trigger for CA. We discuss the implications from this model for our understanding why human beings engage in costly CA.