Dr. Zak is a neuroeconomist at Claremont Graduate University in California, which houses one of only five such labs in the world. The field of neuroeconomics combines methods from neuroscience and economics to study how people make decisions involving risk, as well as strategic decisions involving relationships with others. Dr. Zak and his colleagues discovered that doses of the naturally-produced hormone oxytocin made people more trustworthy. Additionally, Zak's research determined that oxytocin levels can be naturally raised by human touch.

Dr. Zak was credited with originally coining the term 'neuroeconomics.' He conducts more research with oxytocin than any other scientist in the world. Has been published in scientific journals and featured in media interviews all over the world.

He’s the founder of CGU’s Center for Neuroeconomic Studies, and professor of economics at CGU; Professor of Neurology at Loma Linda University Medical Center; Senior Researcher at UCLA; Degrees in math and economics (San Diego State), PhD in economics (Penn); Post-doctoral training in neuroimaging (Harvard). Dr. Zak is also the author of the book, "Moral Markets." More information about him can be located here, which includes video clips and more.

Blog Entries by Paul J. Zak

The Power of a Handshake: How Touch Sustains Personal and Business Relationships

1 Comments | Posted September 29, 2008 | 09:40 AM (EST)


Written with Susan Kuchinskas

A solid handshake is more important for landing a job than your resume, according to research from the University of Iowa. This is something anyone in sales knows implicitly. But they might be surprised to learn that the power of a handshake is rooted not...

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The Lawnmower Man

Posted August 15, 2008 | 04:47 PM (EST)


Co-Written by Ken Grimes

56-year-old Keith Walendowski of Wisconsin isn't, unfortunately, the first midwestern American man to greet a loved one's perceived betrayal with the business-end of a sawn-off shotgun. Nor will he be the last. What is unusual about the July incident is that Walendowski's "victim" -- found among...

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Gay Marriage is Natural

Posted July 11, 2008 | 05:44 PM (EST)


Co-Written by Ken Grimes

The California Supreme Court's decision to allow same-sex marriage was greeted with both joy, and indifference. Joy from the gay community, where some couples had waited over quarter of a century to officially affirm their bonds. And indifference from much of the rest of California, including...

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