Paul J. Zak

Paul J. Zak

Paul Zak is a neuroeconomist.

Background

Zak graduated with degrees in mathematics and economics from San Diego State University before acquiring a PhD in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He is professor at Claremont Graduate University in Southern California. He has studied brain imaging, and was the first to identify the role of oxytocin in mediating trusting behaviors between unacquainted humans. Zak directs the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University and is a member of the Neurology Department at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He edited Moral Markets: The Critical Role of Values in the Economy (Princeton University Press, 2008). His book, The Moral Molecule will be published in 2012 by Dutton.

Zak's research aims to challenge the thought that people generally are driven primarily to act for what they consider their self-interest, and asks how morality may modulate ones interpretation of what constitutes "self-interest" in ones own personal terms. Methodological questions have arisen in regards to Zak's work, however. Other commentators though have called his work "one of the most revealing experiments in the history of economics."

Zak is frequently interviewed in the media on topics ranging from economic policy to romantic relationships. He was named by Wired magazine as one of the 10 Sexiest Geeks in 2005. He is often called "Dr. Love" and believes in the habit of hugging people to raise oxytocin levels. Zak suggests that intimate contact, using social ritual and social media such as using Twitter and Facebook raises oxytocin levels.

Publications

• Paul J. Zak, "Neuroeconomics", Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 359:1737-1748, 2004.
• Paul J. Zak, Robert Kurzban and William T. Matzner, "The Neurobiology of Trust", Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1032:224–227, 2004.
• Michael Kosfeld, Markus Heinrichs, Paul J. Zak, Urs Fischbacher, & Ernst Fehr, "Oxytocin Increases Trust In Humans", Nature, 435:673–676, 2005.
• Paul J. Zak, Robert Kurzban, and William T. Matzner. "Oxytocin is Associated with Human Trustworthiness", Hormones and Behavior, 48, 522–527, 2005.
• Paul J. Zak, Karla Borja, Robert Kurzban, and William T. Matzner, "The Neuroeconomics of Distrust: Physiologic and Behavioral Differences Between Men and Women", American Economic Review, 95(2): 360-363, 2005
• Paul J. Zak, Angela A. Stanton & Sheila Ahmadi, "Oxytocin increases generosity in humans," PloS ONE 2(11): e1128, 2007.
• Vera B. Morhenn, Jang Woo Park, Elisabeth Piper & Paul J. Zak. "Monetary sacrifice among strangers is mediated by endogenous oxytocin release after physical contact", Evolution and Human Behavior, 29(375–383), 2008.
• Jorge A. Barraza & Paul J. Zak, "Empathy toward Strangers Triggers Oxytocin Release and Subsequent Generosity", Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1167, 182-189, 2009.

As editor

• Paul J. Zak (2008). Moral Markets: The Critical Role of Values in the Economy. Princeton University Press. http://www.amazon.com/Moral-Markets-Critical-Values-Economy/dp/0691135231/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201306130&sr=1-1. 

External links

• Center for Neuroeconomics Studies
• TED Talk, November 2011,video, 16 mins