Paul J Zak
Biographic Data
| ID | 1055858 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Paul J Zak |
| GIVEN NAMES | Paul J |
| FAMILY NAME | Zak |
| SIGNATURE | ZAK P J |
| AFFILIATIONS | Claremont Graduate University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4563-8406 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 22 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 484 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 21 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1992 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Abstract Moral Decisions Are Unchanged After Oxytocin Administration
Western institutions are based on the impartial applications of the law. Yet, many legal decisions are replete with emotionally laden choices, including issues of life and death. In these cases, judges and juries are presumed to be able to make rational decisions by regulating their emotions. Two experiments were run to examine people's ability to make hypothetical life and death decisions as well as stages of moral development when emotional res…
Increasing support for economic freedom
The relationship between economic freedom and improvements in social and economic outcomes is well-documented. Yet, increasing support for government control of voluntary exchange has arisen in the US and many other countries. The present study analyzed whether videos describing human flourishing would influence support for economic freedom. In Study 1, a ‘‘brain as predictor’’ approach measured the neurologic responses of participants (N = 64) t…
The impact of organizational trust on the performance of police departments
Stories vs. facts
Climate change is an issue which elicits low engagement, even among concerned segments of the public. While research suggests that the presentation of factual information (e.g., scientific consensus) can be persuasive to some audiences, there is also empirical evidence indicating that it may also increase resistance in others. In this research, we investigate whether climate change narratives structured as stories are better than informational na…
Persuasive Narratives and Costly Actions
Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepreneurs of suicide missions frame the necessity of violent behavior within the context of persuasive narratives to attract potential recruits. Herein we report results from an experiment to test factors involved with costly action linked to a persuasive narrative. We recruited 164 participants (M = 21, SD = 5.20) and measured hormones, electrodermal activity, and…
Oxytocin and the Biological Basis for Interpersonal and Political Trust
Neuroeconomics and International Studies
Nearly all political choices depend on trust—or a lack thereof. In world politics, successful negotiations, arms agreements, and deterrence postures all depend on trust. This paper reviews recent findings in neuroeconomics that have identified the neuroactive hormone oxytocin as a key brain mechanism that causes people to trust strangers. This research has also identified the physiologic and behavioral effect of distrust. A neurologically informe…
Moral Markets
Like nature itself, modern economic life is driven by relentless competition and unbridled selfishness. Or is it? Drawing on converging evidence from neuroscience, social science, biology, law, and philosophy, Moral Markets makes the case that modern market exchange works only because most people, most of the time, act virtuously. Competition and greed are certainly part of economics, but Moral Markets shows how the rules of market exchange have …
Monetary sacrifice among strangers is mediated by endogenous oxytocin release after physical contact
Path to Prosperity
We present a dynamic general equilibrium model that formalizes the political mechanisms that prompt demographic change and augment economic development. We demonstrate that in addition to well-established economic determinants, fertility decisions, human capital accumulation and economic development are altered by three fundamental political variables: political freedom, political stability, and political capacity. Using the model, we derive a se…
Neuroeconomics Studies
Neuroeconomics has the potential to fundamentally change the way economics is done. This article identifies the ways in which this will occur, pitfalls of this approach, and areas where progress has already been made. The value of neuroeconomics studies for social policy lies in the quality, replicability, and relevance of the research produced. While most economists will not contribute to the neuroeconomics literature, we contend that most econo…
Neuroactive hormones and interpersonal trust
Oxytocin increases trust in humans
Introduction to CMPS Special Issue on Alternative Models of Conflict
Building Trust
We have previously shown that interpersonal trust substantially impacts economic growth, and that sufficient interpersonal trust is necessary for economic development. To investigate the ability of policy-makers to affect trust levels, this paper builds a formal model characterizing public policies that can raise trust. The model is used to derive optimal funding for trust-raising policies when policy-makers seek to stimulate economic growth. Pol…
A dynamic theory of the transition to democracy
Population Growth, Urbanisation and the Role of Government in China
This essay uses a political economy model to study the relationship between urbanisation and demographic change in China. The model identifies political stability and government capacity as two crucial factors that shape family decisions regarding the number of children. As population growth and economic growth are interrelated, a government can use the political process to achieve its economic objectives. The implications of the model are tested…
Trust and Growth
El efecto de la ideología política en el poder sobre el crecimiento económico , la distribución de la renta factorial y la desigualdad: evidencia para 20 países de América Latina, 1975-2017 Este trabajo de grado de maestría tiene como objetivo estimar el efecto de la ideología política en el poder sobre el nivel de ingreso, sus variaciones en el corto plazo, la distribución en la renta factorial y la desigualdad para 20 países de América Latina e…
The Politics of Fertility and Economic Development
This paper presents a formal model that characterizes the two faces of development—persistent poverty, and industrialization and rising incomes—and establishes that the interaction between politics and economics determines which path a nation travels. We demonstrate that political factors affect fertility decisions so that a one-time disturbance compounds across generations, impacting a country's entire development trajectory. Modeling strategic …
Kaleckian Lags in General Equilibrium
The relationship between production lags and business cycles has a long history in economics, but was first analyzed rigorously by Michal Kalecki in 1935. In a linear delay differential equation model, Kalecki showed that production delays can endogenously generate cycles. Whether this result holds in general equilibrium has been an open question. An answer is provided by examining the effect of Kaleckian lags in the Solow and Cass-Koopmans growt…
The Determinants of Democratic Transitions
A formal dynamic theory of the transition from a developing autocracy to democracy is presented in the context of a heterogeneous agent general equilibrium growth model. The theory shows that the primary determinants affecting the timing of democratic transitions are per capita income, the distribution of wealth, educational levels, and the strength of preferences for political rights and civil liberties. The implications of the theory are tested…
Preliminary evidence on the determinants of Federal Reserve open market operations
Trust and Growth
El efecto de la ideología política en el poder sobre el crecimiento económico , la distribución de la renta factorial y la desigualdad: evidencia para 20 países de América Latina, 1975-2017 Este trabajo de grado de maestría tiene como objetivo estimar el efecto de la ideología política en el poder sobre el nivel de ingreso, sus variaciones en el corto plazo, la distribución en la renta factorial y la desigualdad para 20 países de América Latina e…
The Determinants of Democratic Transitions
A formal dynamic theory of the transition from a developing autocracy to democracy is presented in the context of a heterogeneous agent general equilibrium growth model. The theory shows that the primary determinants affecting the timing of democratic transitions are per capita income, the distribution of wealth, educational levels, and the strength of preferences for political rights and civil liberties. The implications of the theory are tested…
The Politics of Fertility and Economic Development
This paper presents a formal model that characterizes the two faces of development—persistent poverty, and industrialization and rising incomes—and establishes that the interaction between politics and economics determines which path a nation travels. We demonstrate that political factors affect fertility decisions so that a one-time disturbance compounds across generations, impacting a country's entire development trajectory. Modeling strategic …
Oxytocin and the Biological Basis for Interpersonal and Political Trust
Neuroeconomics and International Studies
Nearly all political choices depend on trust—or a lack thereof. In world politics, successful negotiations, arms agreements, and deterrence postures all depend on trust. This paper reviews recent findings in neuroeconomics that have identified the neuroactive hormone oxytocin as a key brain mechanism that causes people to trust strangers. This research has also identified the physiologic and behavioral effect of distrust. A neurologically informe…
Persuasive Narratives and Costly Actions
Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepreneurs of suicide missions frame the necessity of violent behavior within the context of persuasive narratives to attract potential recruits. Herein we report results from an experiment to test factors involved with costly action linked to a persuasive narrative. We recruited 164 participants (M = 21, SD = 5.20) and measured hormones, electrodermal activity, and…
Path to Prosperity
We present a dynamic general equilibrium model that formalizes the political mechanisms that prompt demographic change and augment economic development. We demonstrate that in addition to well-established economic determinants, fertility decisions, human capital accumulation and economic development are altered by three fundamental political variables: political freedom, political stability, and political capacity. Using the model, we derive a se…
Neuroeconomics Studies
Neuroeconomics has the potential to fundamentally change the way economics is done. This article identifies the ways in which this will occur, pitfalls of this approach, and areas where progress has already been made. The value of neuroeconomics studies for social policy lies in the quality, replicability, and relevance of the research produced. While most economists will not contribute to the neuroeconomics literature, we contend that most econo…
Population Growth, Urbanisation and the Role of Government in China
This essay uses a political economy model to study the relationship between urbanisation and demographic change in China. The model identifies political stability and government capacity as two crucial factors that shape family decisions regarding the number of children. As population growth and economic growth are interrelated, a government can use the political process to achieve its economic objectives. The implications of the model are tested…
Preliminary evidence on the determinants of Federal Reserve open market operations
Kaleckian Lags in General Equilibrium
The relationship between production lags and business cycles has a long history in economics, but was first analyzed rigorously by Michal Kalecki in 1935. In a linear delay differential equation model, Kalecki showed that production delays can endogenously generate cycles. Whether this result holds in general equilibrium has been an open question. An answer is provided by examining the effect of Kaleckian lags in the Solow and Cass-Koopmans growt…
The Determinants of Democratic Transitions
A formal dynamic theory of the transition from a developing autocracy to democracy is presented in the context of a heterogeneous agent general equilibrium growth model. The theory shows that the primary determinants affecting the timing of democratic transitions are per capita income, the distribution of wealth, educational levels, and the strength of preferences for political rights and civil liberties. The implications of the theory are tested…
The Politics of Fertility and Economic Development
This paper presents a formal model that characterizes the two faces of development—persistent poverty, and industrialization and rising incomes—and establishes that the interaction between politics and economics determines which path a nation travels. We demonstrate that political factors affect fertility decisions so that a one-time disturbance compounds across generations, impacting a country's entire development trajectory. Modeling strategic …
Trust and Growth
El efecto de la ideología política en el poder sobre el crecimiento económico , la distribución de la renta factorial y la desigualdad: evidencia para 20 países de América Latina, 1975-2017 Este trabajo de grado de maestría tiene como objetivo estimar el efecto de la ideología política en el poder sobre el nivel de ingreso, sus variaciones en el corto plazo, la distribución en la renta factorial y la desigualdad para 20 países de América Latina e…
Population Growth, Urbanisation and the Role of Government in China
This essay uses a political economy model to study the relationship between urbanisation and demographic change in China. The model identifies political stability and government capacity as two crucial factors that shape family decisions regarding the number of children. As population growth and economic growth are interrelated, a government can use the political process to achieve its economic objectives. The implications of the model are tested…
Building Trust
We have previously shown that interpersonal trust substantially impacts economic growth, and that sufficient interpersonal trust is necessary for economic development. To investigate the ability of policy-makers to affect trust levels, this paper builds a formal model characterizing public policies that can raise trust. The model is used to derive optimal funding for trust-raising policies when policy-makers seek to stimulate economic growth. Pol…
A dynamic theory of the transition to democracy
Introduction to CMPS Special Issue on Alternative Models of Conflict
Oxytocin increases trust in humans
Neuroactive hormones and interpersonal trust
Neuroeconomics Studies
Neuroeconomics has the potential to fundamentally change the way economics is done. This article identifies the ways in which this will occur, pitfalls of this approach, and areas where progress has already been made. The value of neuroeconomics studies for social policy lies in the quality, replicability, and relevance of the research produced. While most economists will not contribute to the neuroeconomics literature, we contend that most econo…
Monetary sacrifice among strangers is mediated by endogenous oxytocin release after physical contact
Path to Prosperity
We present a dynamic general equilibrium model that formalizes the political mechanisms that prompt demographic change and augment economic development. We demonstrate that in addition to well-established economic determinants, fertility decisions, human capital accumulation and economic development are altered by three fundamental political variables: political freedom, political stability, and political capacity. Using the model, we derive a se…
Moral Markets
Like nature itself, modern economic life is driven by relentless competition and unbridled selfishness. Or is it? Drawing on converging evidence from neuroscience, social science, biology, law, and philosophy, Moral Markets makes the case that modern market exchange works only because most people, most of the time, act virtuously. Competition and greed are certainly part of economics, but Moral Markets shows how the rules of market exchange have …
Neuroeconomics and International Studies
Nearly all political choices depend on trust—or a lack thereof. In world politics, successful negotiations, arms agreements, and deterrence postures all depend on trust. This paper reviews recent findings in neuroeconomics that have identified the neuroactive hormone oxytocin as a key brain mechanism that causes people to trust strangers. This research has also identified the physiologic and behavioral effect of distrust. A neurologically informe…
Oxytocin and the Biological Basis for Interpersonal and Political Trust
Persuasive Narratives and Costly Actions
Persuasive narratives can induce some individuals to engage in costly actions. Entrepreneurs of suicide missions frame the necessity of violent behavior within the context of persuasive narratives to attract potential recruits. Herein we report results from an experiment to test factors involved with costly action linked to a persuasive narrative. We recruited 164 participants (M = 21, SD = 5.20) and measured hormones, electrodermal activity, and…
Stories vs. facts
Climate change is an issue which elicits low engagement, even among concerned segments of the public. While research suggests that the presentation of factual information (e.g., scientific consensus) can be persuasive to some audiences, there is also empirical evidence indicating that it may also increase resistance in others. In this research, we investigate whether climate change narratives structured as stories are better than informational na…
The impact of organizational trust on the performance of police departments
Increasing support for economic freedom
The relationship between economic freedom and improvements in social and economic outcomes is well-documented. Yet, increasing support for government control of voluntary exchange has arisen in the US and many other countries. The present study analyzed whether videos describing human flourishing would influence support for economic freedom. In Study 1, a ‘‘brain as predictor’’ approach measured the neurologic responses of participants (N = 64) t…
Abstract Moral Decisions Are Unchanged After Oxytocin Administration
Western institutions are based on the impartial applications of the law. Yet, many legal decisions are replete with emotionally laden choices, including issues of life and death. In these cases, judges and juries are presumed to be able to make rational decisions by regulating their emotions. Two experiments were run to examine people's ability to make hypothetical life and death decisions as well as stages of moral development when emotional res…
Economics (13 works) · Political science (12 works) · Psychology (10 works) · Politics (7 works) · Social Psychology (7 works) · Law (6 works) · Business (5 works) · Computer Science (5 works) · Economic system (5 works) · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior (5 works)