Kevin McCabe

My research is focused on understanding the mechanisms that facilitate human exchange.  Some mechanisms are internal, based on our brains evolved ability to engage in social exchange.  Other mechanisms are external, based on the emergent rules contained in our institutions.

Some of my research focuses on how institutions facilitate exchange.  My first research paper studied how people used unbacked (or fiat) money to facilitate intertemporal exchange.  Other research papers with my colleagues study how 'smart' computer assisted markets can be designed to facilitate exchange.

The experimental methods used in my research have emerged over the last fifty years in what is now called Experimental Economics.  Recent technological advances allow us to do Virtual World experiments and Neuroeconomics experiments.

I use virtual worlds to run persistent experiments in immersive environments.  Virtual world experiments are new and we are still learning how to use them to study exchange.

Neuroeconomics is used to study how the brain makes economic decisions.