Kevin McCabe (economist)

Kevin McCabe is an American economist known for his work in experimental economics, neuroeconomics, and computational economics. His research focuses on understanding the neural and cognitive processes underlying cooperation, trust, and decision-making, particularly in the context of economic games and social interactions.

McCabe earned his Ph.D. in economics from the California Institute of Technology in 1991. He has held faculty positions at the University of Arizona and George Mason University. Currently, he is a professor of economics at Claremont Graduate University and the director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science (ICES).

McCabe's research utilizes a variety of methods, including behavioral experiments, brain imaging techniques (such as fMRI), and computational modeling, to explore the biological and computational foundations of economic behavior. He is particularly known for his contributions to understanding the role of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) in decision-making involving fairness and cooperation. His work has shown that disrupting activity in the rDLPFC can affect individuals' willingness to cooperate and punish unfair behavior.

Some of McCabe's key contributions include:

• Neuroeconomics of Trust and Cooperation: He has conducted research examining the neural mechanisms underlying trust and cooperation in economic games like the trust game and the ultimatum game. His findings have provided insights into how brain activity relates to decisions about reciprocity, fairness, and punishment.
• Computational Economics: He has also worked on developing computational models of economic behavior, exploring how agents can learn and adapt in complex economic environments.
• Rule Following: More recently, his work has focused on the cognitive processes involved in rule following and the enforcement of social norms.

McCabe's work has been published in leading academic journals, including Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Games and Economic Behavior. He is a fellow of the Economic Science Association and has received numerous grants and awards for his research.