CNBC Colloquium

Title: "Integrative Moral Cognition: Hume’s Journey in Reverse"
Presenter: Joshua Greene, Ph.D.
John and Ruth Hazel Associate Professor of the Social Sciences
Department of Psychology
Harvard University
Location: 328 Mellon Institute

Sponsored by the Systems Neuroscience Institute and Department of Bioengineering

Title: "Cerebellar Internal Models Contribute to Action and Active Perception"
Presenter: Nasir Bhanpuri, Ph.D
Location: BST3 4075

Title: "Aging and central auditory function: Inhibitory neurotransmission and maladaptive plasticity"
Presenter: Donald Caspary, PhD
Location: 6014 BST-3

Sponsored by the Department of Otolaryngology and the Auditory Research Group

Title: "BACE1 influence on peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration"
Presenter: Mohamad H. Farah, M.D.
Location: 7023 BST3

Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (PIND) and the University of Pittsburgh Dept. of Neurology

Ph.D Dissertation Defense

Title: "Anatomical organization of the extended amygdala"
Presenter: Michael Bienkowski
Location: A219B Langley Hall

Psychology Colloquium, University of Pittsburgh

Title:  "Causes and Consequences of Accurate Impressions: The Roles of Psychological, Social and Physical Health"  
Presenter: Lauren Human
Location: 4127 Sennott Square, Martin Colloquium Center
Abstract: How do psychological, social, and physical health relate to accuracy in interpersonal impressions? In this talk, I will discuss how psychological and social well-being influence impressions, and how impressions may in turn influence health and well-being. Specifically, psychological and social well-being promote both greater accuracy and bias in our perceptions of others’ personalities, and also allow others to see us more accurately. In turn, accurate first impressions promote relationship development among new acquaintances, and may also have implications for biological processes relevant to physical health. In sum, accurate impressions have the potential to shape and be shaped by our psychological, social, and physical health.

Sponsored by the Department of Psychology

 Department of Psychology Colloquium Series  - Fall 2012

Title: "Hobbes and Rousseau in the Nursery: Developing Care for Others" 
Presenter: Ross Thompson, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of California-Davis
Location: Martin Colloquium Center, Sennott Square 4127
Abstract: We have long known that young children can help and share with others.  But explanations for this in philosophy and psychology have ranged from the child's Hobbesian self-interest to the natural-born altruist of Rousseau.  Recent research suggests, however, that early prosocial motivation has much more complex -- and interesting -- developmental origins.  These origins are profiled from research in our lab and the work of others, and the implications of this research for the development of constructive social motivation in the early years are reconsidered

Please join us for the colloquium and a reception following the talk.

Psychology Colloquium, University of Pittsburgh 

Title: "Effects of Social Disconnection on Motivation and Health"
Presenter: Lisa Jaremka
Location: Martin Colloquium Center, Sennott Square 4127
Abstract: There is clear evidence that social connection confers health benefits, and social disconnection enhances risk for a variety of health problems (Jaremka, Lindgren, & Kiecolt-Glaser, under review). The mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear; physiological changes and social motivations are promising candidates. The overarching model guiding my research suggests that social connection and disconnection have immune, endocrine, and autonomic consequences. In turn, these physiological changes affect self-protection motivations, social affiliation motivations, and health.  During my talk I will review my research testing specific components of this model and propose areas of future exploration. Towards this end, I integrate theoretical and methodological approaches from social psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, psychoneuroendocrinology, and health psychology.

Sponsored by the Department of Psychology

Title: "Brain mechanisms for foveating a visual target here-and-now (where it  is and when it is there)"
Presenter: Laurent Goffart, PhD CNRS Institut de Neurosciences de la Timon Marseille, France
Location: CNBC Conference Room, Mellon Institute 115
Abstract: In most goal-directed movements, a spatial congruence is ultimately established between the location of the selected target and the endpoint of the movement. Using the gaze orienting response as a model, I will present results of experiments that were performed in  the feline and primate species, to understand how and why this  sensorimotor association is altered when the medio-posterior  cerebellum is functionally impaired, and to test the neural processes  which underlie the ability to “intercept” and foveate a target that  moves in the peripheral visual field.

 Psychology Colloquium, University of Pittsburgh

Title: "You Think You Reap What You Sow: The Projection of Interpersonal Goals"
Presenter: Edward P. Lemay, Jr.
Department of Psychology
University of New Hampshire
Location: Martin Colloquium Center, 4127 Sennott Square
Abstract: How do people know whether others care for them? According to my projection of responsiveness model, perceivers assume that their own care (or lack thereof) for a particular target is reciprocated by that target. In the current talk, I will review results from dyadic correlational studies, experiments, and behavioral observation studies that support this model. In addition, I will review evidence suggesting that projection has consequences for perceivers, including effects on personal well-being and approach/avoidance decisions in interpersonal relationships. Finally, I will review recent extensions of this model, including extensions to the domains of physical attractiveness, memory, and interpretation of behavior. Collectively, the results suggest that projection of care is a robust effect and has a myriad of important consequences.

                        

Sponsored by the Department of Psychology

 University of Pittsburgh, Senior Vice Chancellor's Research Seminar Series

Presenter: Steven A. Prescott, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physiology, University of Toronto
Title: "Mechanisms of Neuronal Excitability and Their Consequences for Neural Coding"
Location: Auditorium 6, Scaife Hall
Topic Overview: Neurons use action potentials, or spikes, to transmit information. But all spikes are not created the same way, and not all of them convey the same information. Instead, each neuron regulates spiking through a unique combination of ion channels, and spikes form the basis of many different neural codes. The Prescott lab investigates these issues using an integrative approach that incorporates dynamical systems theory, computer simulations, and electrophysiological experiments.

Prescott’s talk will focus on his group’s contribution to understanding how neurons regulate their excitability and how that regulation goes awry under conditions like neuropathic pain. He will also discuss how changes in excitability affect neural coding and the impact coding changes may have on pain perception.

 JOINT PSYCHOLOGY/LRDC COLLOQUIUM

University of Pittsburgh

Title: "Who Can Be Smart? Beliefs About the Potential for High Intelligence"
Presenter: Aneeta Rattan
Department of Psychology
Stanford University
Location: Glaser Auditorium, Second Floor, LRDC
Abstract: I will discuss people’s beliefs about the distribution of the potential for high intelligence. Does almost everyone have the potential for high intelligence or do only some people have this potential? I will systematically examine the consequences of believing that “only some people” vs. “virtually everyone” has high intellectual potential in three important domains. First, do these beliefs relate to how much Americans consider education a fundamental right? Second, might these beliefs play a role in legitimizing extant inequality in the distribution of educational resources? Finally, do these beliefs affect underrepresented students’ (a) sense of the academic climate as valuing diversity and (b) their actual performance in school? My findings document the importance of people’s ideologies about who has the potential for high intelligence, both at the level of policy attitudes and individual academic outcomes. I will discuss the implications of these results for understanding how people think about the nature of intelligence, how people justify intergroup inequality, and who realizes their potential.

Sponsored by the Department of Psychology and LRDC