25 January 2012
'Being Social, Being Sneaky and Being Human - How to Win Friends and Influence People' - Café Science event on January 30th
The relationships between people, and the duplicitous tactics sometimes used to gain advantage over others, will be explored in the next Café Science event to be held in Dundee.
Dr Clare Cunningham, a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Abertay Dundee, will lead a discussion on the intensely social nature of humans, and how this leads to both virtuous and nefarious behaviour, at Chambers Coffee House, South Tay Street on Monday, 30th January.
She will explain how our lives are inextricably entwined with the lives of others. Relationships with other members of our social group are variable, with some based on family ties and others maintained as friendships, work relationships or even by unfriendly interactions. Keeping track of all our friends (and enemies) is therefore a complicated business.
Dr Cunningham will go on to discuss our primate cousins, who also live in complex social groups and also need to manage their relationships to make sure they buffer themselves against the costs of group living. This is done through the evolution of strategies that allow them to manipulate social partners.
Dr Cunningham said "Living is a social group has major advantages in terms of finding and defending resources, help with rearing young and protection for ourselves and offspring. However, it also comes with associated costs. In order to minimise these, we, and other primate species, have been under evolutionary pressure to evolve cognitive capacities that help us offset some of these expenses. One way we can do this is manipulate the behaviour of others so that it works in our best interest".
In other words, we lie, cheat, and flatter others so that they behave in ways that are to our benefit.
Dr Jon Urch, Public Engagement Co-ordinator at the University of Dundee and event organiser, said, "Clare Cunningham will explain how it is the primate brain that allows us and our relatives to sustain these strategies, and it should prove a fascinating insight into how our psychological make-up affects our behaviour.
"The relaxed surroundings at Chambers mean it is the perfect place to learn a little psychology while enjoying coffee or food."
The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening in Dundee.
Dr Cunningham's talk, entitled 'Being Social, Being Sneaky and Being Human - How to Win Friends and Influence People', takes place at 7pm on Monday, January 30th. Seating is limited so attendees are advised to arrive early. Hot meals can be ordered until 6pm, and entry is free and open to all.
Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted more than 2500 people since then.
For more information visit www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.
To arrange and interview with Dr Cunningham please contact Vicki White (University of Abertay Dundee Press Officer) on 01382 308935 or e-mail v.white@abertay.ac.uk.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
