Paul Zak Quotes & Sayings

Rich or poor, living in a trusting society simply makes people happier. — Paul J. Zak

Trust is kind of this economic lubricant. When trust is high, morale is high ... Higher trust environments produce individuals who are happier. — Paul J. Zak

Oxytocin infusion increases generosity in unilateral monetary transfers by 80 percent [and] increases donations to charity by 50 percent. — Paul J. Zak

You need eight hugs a day. You'll be happier and the world will be a better place. — Paul J. Zak

Neuroeconomist Paul Zak has found that hearing a story - a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end - causes our brains to release cortisol and oxytocin. These chemicals trigger the uniquely human abilities to connect, empathize, and make meaning. — Brene Brown

Showing kindness causes oxytocin release in the recipient that motives him or her to be kind to others. You can start this virtuous cycle in the simplest ways, for example, by giving someone a hug. I send you a hug! — Paul J. Zak

The idea that we're "wired for story" is more than a catchy phrase. Neuroeconomist Paul Zak has found that hearing a story - a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end - causes our brains to release cortisol and oxytocin. These chemicals trigger the uniquely human abilities to connect, empathize, and make meaning. Story is literally in our DNA. — Brene Brown

Oxytocin is love. Oxytocin is within you. — Paul J. Zak

[We] administered testosterone to men; instead of sharing money, they become selfish. Interestingly, high testosterone males are also more likely to use their own money to punish others for being selfish. — Paul J. Zak

Like nature itself, modern economic life is driven by relentless competition and unbridled selfishness. Or is it? — Paul J. Zak

Oxytocin connects us to other people; oxytocin makes us feel what other people feel. And it's easy to cause people's brains to release oxytocin. Let me show you. Come here. Give me a hug. — Paul J. Zak

So while we need to provide people with technical skills that will help them find employment, we can't afford to neglect the even more basic skills -- reading, writing, thinking, feeling -- that allow them to become fully realized human beings who care about the world they live in and the people who share it with them. — Paul J. Zak

My research shows that improving the quality of education is a cost-free way to raise prosperity. it's cost-free because it reinforces so many of the other things we need to keep the virtuous cycle rolling that, ultimately, the increase in economic benefits far outstrips the cost of the investment. Education brings more people into the comfort zone of higher income, which increases trust, then causes people to demand better government, which further increases the trust, which further reduces inequality, which increases the pool of those who will get a good education. — Paul J. Zak