Receptor for arginine vasopressin. The activity of this receptor is mediated by G proteins which activate a phosphatidyl-inositol-calcium second messenger system. Involved in social memory formation. Located in cytoplasmic vesicles dispersed throughout the cell cytoplasm and to the plasma membrane. Localized within gonadotropes of the anterior pituitary of the brain. Broadly distributed throughout the cerebral cortex. Palmitoylated on three cysteine residues, of which only two are identified. Overexpression of AVPR1A in the brain increases the duration of social memory. Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family. Vasopressin/oxytocin receptor subfamily.