Spring Talk Series 2021 | Psychology bite sized for you

Join the School of Psychology for this series of online webinars on topics from conspiracy theories to childhood anxiety and gender discrimination.

Lectures, talks and seminars

Online via Zoom

Presented by


Description

Did you sometimes think it would be good to know a bit more about human behaviour? Would it be helpful to learn from experts in the field about how conspiracy theories work, what you can take from brain science findings, what anxiety in children looks like, or how you can reduce gender discrimination in the work place?

The Spring Talk Series brings psychology bite-sized to you, with up-to-date information about psychological phenomena that matter in your professional (and personal) life.

Each session features a 40 minute talk with 20 minutes at the end for questions and answers, facilitated by Associate Professor Hedwig Eisenbarth.

Watch the recordings to learn more about the psychology of humans and to ask questions you might have.

Conspiracy theories in the time of a pandemic

Marc Wilson, 20 October 2021, 5–6 pm

Neuroscience versus Neurobabble: A road map for evaluating brain science claims

Carolyn Wilshire, 27 October 2021, 5–6 pm

What do you need to know about anxiety in children

Dougal Sutherland, 03 November 2021, 5–6 pm

What you need to know about gender-discrimination at the workplace

Matt Hammond, 10 November 2021, 5–6 pm


Speaker Bios

Dr Marc Wilson is interested in the application of social psychological theory to important social issues. Much of this research revolves around the relationship between the concepts of Social Dominance Orientation, authoritarianism, and social values, and such issues as the Treaty settlement process, New Zealand national identity, and political preference. He is also interested in social psychological factors influencing peoples' food preferences (eg. to eat or not eat meat), the psychology of religion, and people's beliefs about paranormal phenomena. Marc’s main research programme in the last five years has focused on understanding why some people (particularly young people) deliberately hurt themselves, without suicidal intent.

Dr Carolyn Wilshire's research draws on cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, health psychology and theoretical psychopathology. Her work examines the cognitive processes and neural systems involved in language and other high-level mental functions (such as planning and control). Much of her work on this topics uses special populations, such as those who have suffered a stroke, a brain injury, or a brain tumour, and also those who've experienced particular difficulties from birth (for examples reading difficulties). Developing our understanding of these disorders can improve their assessment and treatment, and also advance our more general understanding of human cognition at the highest level.

Dr Dougal Sutherland has been practising as a Clinical Psychologist for over 15 years. He has worked extensively with children, adolescents, and families/whanau. Dougal also has worked in management roles in the Mental Health and Addictions sector. His areas of clinical interest and expertise include Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dougal is interested in making psychology accessible to the general public.

Dr Matt Hammond is a researcher in social psychology studying prejudice and intimate relationships. His research programme focuses on the individual, developmental and societal factors that influence the functioning of romantic relationships, including social support, interpersonal aggression, and how perceptions of others can be biased. Matt's research tests how sexist stereotypes are not simply a factor linked to societal differences between men and women, such as representation in government, but also function to maintain gender inequality by influencing people's behaviours and satisfaction in their romantic relationships.


For more information contact: Katie Harrison

katie.harrison@vuw.ac.nz