The Harvard Gazette

David Rand

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Martin Nowak: “Democracy is a powerful institution. When we implemented this system, virtually every resource was saved. The surprising observation is that while there is a minority of people who don’t want to cooperate, the majority of people vote altruistically. They are not voting to maximize their own benefit, and that’s what allows for cooperation with the future.”

Tomorrow isn’t such a long time

Research uncovers a path to future-conscious decisions

Science|

DateJune 26, 2014

Reputation as a lever

‘Observability’ a strong influence on deeds, research finds

Science|

DateJune 12, 2013July 10, 2019

In an uncertain world, "it actually becomes optimal to be fair, and natural selection favored fairness," said David Rand, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology who studied fairness with Martin Nowak and Corina Tarnita.

When fairness prevails

Harvard research shows how uncertainty affects behavior

Science|

DateJanuary 30, 2013April 15, 2019

In a series of experiments, Harvard researchers found that people who make quick decisions act less selfishly than those who deliberate. Joshua Greene (from left), the John and Ruth Hazel Associate Professor of the Social Sciences, David Rand, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology, and Martin Nowak, professor of mathematics and of biology, published their findings in the Sept. 20 issue of Nature.

Rapid acts of kindness

More cooperation in quick decisions, researchers find

Health|

DateSeptember 20, 2012June 12, 2019

A study led by Harvard researcher Feng Fu found that in-group favoritism — the tendency of people to help other members of the same group — is critical in establishing high-level cooperation that ultimately benefits the whole.

The positives of playing favorites

Study says in-group bias fosters cooperation among its members

Health|

DateJuly 6, 2012April 12, 2019

“There are many nasty things that happen between people, but for the most part we are fantastically cooperative,” said postdoctoral fellow David Rand, who is the lead author on a new paper. The findings, Rand said, showed that players were more willing to make new connections or maintain existing connections with those who acted generously, and break connections with those who behaved selfishly.

Nice guys can finish first

Social networks aid cooperation, discourage selfishness, study says

Science|

DateNovember 14, 2011April 16, 2019

“We know that family environment explains a lot of why some people believe more than others, but it doesn’t explain everything,” said Amitai Shenhav (center), a doctoral student in Harvard’s Psychology Department. Conducting the research with Shenhav were postdoctoral fellow David Rand (left) and Professor Joshua Greene.

Intuitive? Try God

Researchers say those who rely on instinct are more likely to be religious

Science|

DateSeptember 20, 2011March 29, 2019

“You want the banks to be diversified, but in different ways, so that the conditions that would cause one bank to fail would be different than the conditions that would cause another bank to fail,” said David Rand, a researcher at Harvard’s Program for Evolutionary Dynamics.

A plan for better banking

Researchers propose model of systemwide diversification

World|

DateJuly 22, 2011July 19, 2019