#140 Paul Zak: Neuroeconomics, Oxytocin, Trust, Companies and Society
Dr. Paul Zak is an American neuroeconomist, who is known as a proponent of the field. His current work applies neuroscience to build high performance organizations and to understand and guide consumer decisions. Dr. Zak is the founding Director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies and Professor of Economics, Psychology and Management at Claremont Graduate University. He has degrees in mathematics and economics from San Diego State University, a Ph.D. in economics from University of Pennsylvania, and post-doctoral training in neuroimaging from Harvard. He’s also the author of books like The Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity, and Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies.
In this episode, we talk about neuroeconomics, and the role that oxytocin plays in attachment, and in promoting trust among people that are part of the same organization or society. We go through how oxytocin evolved, and the kinds of prosocial behavior that it mediates. We also refer to other hormones, like testosterone and cortisol, and how they interact with oxytocin and might change its behavioral effects. And, finally, we talk about how we can foster trust in companies and other sorts of human organizations, reduce stress, increase productivity, and empower employees.
Time Links:
What is neuroeconomics?
The sorts of things Dr. Zak studies
Oxytocin
How oxytocin influences behavior
The evolution of oxytocin
How other hormones (testosterone, cortisol) interact with oxytocin
Sex differences in levels of oxytocin and other hormones, and behavioral traits
Promoting trust among people in the same organization
Money doesn’t work well as an incentive
Reducing stress in work environments
Self-empowerment
Follow Dr. Zak’s work!
Follow Dr. Richerson’s work:
Faculty page: https://tinyurl.com/y8ctlfue
Personal website: https://www.pauljzak.com/
Ofactor: https://ofactor.com/
Books: https://tinyurl.com/ydygmv95