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David Kearns Professor and Department Chair, Psychology Psychology

Degrees
PhD, psychology, American University
MA, psychology, American University
BA, psychology/philosophy, Rutgers University

Bio
Research interests:

Learning, behavior, addiction.

Recent publications:

Beasley, M. M., Gunawan, T., Tunstall, B. J., & Kearns, D. N. (2022). Intermittent access training produces greater motivation for a non-drug reinforcer than long access training. Learning & Behavior, 1-15.

McConnell, S.A., Brandner, A.J., Blank, B.A., Kearns, D.N., Koob, G.F., Vendruscolo, L.F., Tunstall, B.J. (2021). Demand for fentanyl becomes inelastic following extended access to fentanyl vapor self-administration. Neuropharmacology, 182, 108355.

Gunawan, T., Hachiga, Y., Tripoli, C. S., Silberberg, A., Kearns, D. N. (2020). Heroin choice depends on income level and economy type. Psychopharmacology, 237, 1447-1457.

Kearns, D. N., & Silberberg, A. (2020). Opening the cocaine economy by providing within-session access to a cheaper source of cocaine makes demand for it more elastic. Behavioural Pharmacology, 31, 448-457.

Kearns, D. N. (2019). The effect of economy type on reinforcer value. Behavioural Processes, 162, 20-28.

Gunawan, T., Tripoli, C. S., Silberberg, A., & Kearns, D. N. (2019). The effect of economy type on heroin and saccharin essential value. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 27, 598-608.
See Also
Psychology Department
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Spring 2024

  • NEUR-898 Doctoral Continuing Enrollment

  • NEUR-899 Doctoral Dissertation

  • PSYC-099 Maintain Matriculation