Robert Kurzban | University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychology

Associate Professor

Department:

Psychology

Education:

BA, Psychology, Cornell University; Ph.D., Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara

Address:

Solomon Labs, 3720 Walnut St, Room C3

Phone:

215-898-4977

Email:

kurzban@psych.upenn.edu

Lab Page

CV

Research Themes:

Decision Processes

Evolutionary Psychology

Social and Cultural Psychology

Specific Research Areas:

Evolutionary psychology

Research Synopsis:

My research focuses on the nature of evolved cognitive adaptations for social life. This includes processes such as those involved with cooperative decision making, punishment, morality, close relationships, and mate choice. I use methods drawn from experimental economics and cognitive psychology to address these questions.

Representative Courses:

PSYC 272 Evolutionary Psychology
PSYC 374 Research Experience in Evolutionary Psychology
PSYC 474 Cooperation in Groups
PSYC 600 Proseminar in Evolution, Culture & Behavior

Appointments:

Psychology Graduate Group

Advisees:

Justus Myers [Psychology Graduate Student]

Representative Publications:

DeScioli, P., & Kurzban, R. (in press). A solution to the mysteries of morality. Psychological Bulletin.

Kurzban, R. (2011). Why everyone (else) is a hypocrite: Evolution and the modular mind. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Kurzban, R., Dukes, A., & Weeden, J. (2010) Sex, drugs, and moral goals: Reproductive strategies and views about recreational drugs. Proceedings of the Royal Society-B

DeScioli, P., & Kurzban, R. (2009). Mysteries of morality. Cognition, 112, 281-299.

Kurzban, R., & Aktipis, C. A. (2007). Modularity and the social mind: Are psychologists too self-ish? Personality and Social Psychology Review, 11(2), 131-149.

Kurzban, R., & Weeden, J. (2007). Do advertised preferences predict the behavior of speed daters? Personal Relationships, 14, 623-632.

Barrett, H. C., & Kurzban, R. (2006). Modularity in cognition: Framing the debate. Psychological Review, 113(3), 628-647.