David Kearns

David Kearns is a faculty member in the Psychology Department at American University, where he holds the academic rank of Professor. His research focuses on behavioral psychology, particularly in the areas of learning, addiction, and behavioral economics, with extensive work on drug self-administration and reward valuation systems.

His research examines how access patterns and economic frameworks influence addictive behaviors and reinforcer value. Key themes in his publications include:

• Comparative studies of drug vs. non-drug rewards
• Economic models applied to addiction behaviors
• Neuropharmacological mechanisms of substance use
• Behavioral elasticity in response to drug pricing
• Temporal dynamics of reward motivation

He teaches courses including Behavior Principles, Drugs and Behavior, and doctoral-level neuroscience courses, indicating a strong focus on behavioral science education.