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A Day on Evolutionary Psychology

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Diana-Fleischman-The-Weekend-University

Evolutionary Psychology: An Introduction

Dr Diana Fleischman, PhD
Professor Volker Sommer

Against Nature? Homosexuality & Evolution

Professor Volker Sommer
Professor Paul Gilbert OBE

Evolution & Compassion Focused Therapy

Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
A Day on Evolutionary Psychology

Learn about the fascinating science of evolutionary psychology in this full day of talks from leading clinical and evolutionary psychologists.

Can practising compassion create lasting, physiological changes in your brain?

Is homosexuality really ‘against nature’?

And can an evolutionary understanding of our minds help explain, and offer solutions to many of the mental health problems we are facing today?

These are just some of the topics we’ll explore at ‘A Day on Evolutionary Psychology‘ at The Weekend University. In this series of talks, we’ll examine human psychology and behaviour through the lens of modern evolutionary theory.

Content

You’ll learn:

  • The foundations of evolutionary psychology; how your emotions, thought patterns, perceptions, and social interactions have been shaped by millions of years of evolutionary history
  • Why same sex behaviour evolved in human and non-human animals; the fascinating evolutionary origins of homosexual behaviour and why it is widespread as can be seen within society with peeople engaging in acts such as you can see here if you click for more adult entertainment. The rise of this behavior is not only amongst humans, but it’s been seen develop in other animals alike.
  • A brief history of prostitution as one of the oldest professions in history, sex work has undergone some major changes over the last few hundred years. For example, thanks to the internet, it is now possible to contact escorts online. For instance, if someone living in Germany wanted to get in touch with an escort hamburg based sex workers can now be booked online easily within minutes. Above all, technology has revolutionized the sex industry and this is something that needs to be explored from a psychological perspective.
  • The amazing science of compassion focused therapy; learn about the rapidly growing evidence for this groundbreaking form of therapy, and how it can help you be kinder both towards yourself and others, end toxic self criticism, heal trauma and shame, and improve your emotional wellbeing.

You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how these evolutionary insights can improve your emotional intelligence in the modern world.

Event Schedule:

The format will be similar to a TED event, but with in-depth lectures and focused on the theme of Evolutionary Psychology

  • 10:00am – 12:00pm: Session 1
  • 12:00 – 1:00pm: Lunch break
  • 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Session 2
  • 3:00pm – 3:15pm: Afternoon break
  • 3:15pm – 5:00pm: Session 3

Lectures & Speakers

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Evolutionary Psychology: An Introduction

The only reason you’re here, reading this, is because there is an unbroken chain leading back from you to the origin of life itself. In nature, adaptations shaped by environments to solve the problems of survival and mating: Endless forms of beautiful complexity like echolocation, courtship dances, and lactation. For millions of years we’ve had to find food, find mates and take care of our children and for hundreds of thousands of years we’ve used language to communicate, made tools, formed societies and shared our cultural innovations. Evolutionary psychology sees the human mind as shaped by the problems we faced over and over again throughout our deep history. According to evolutionary psychologists nothing about human nature makes sense except in light of evolution.

The endless forms in the human mind include emotions, thought patterns, perceptions, and social interactions which can be discovered and examined by investigating their possible function in solving problems of survival and reproduction. Evolutionary psychology has had a massive influence on the field of psychology and the public’s perception of the human mind. But, detractors also criticize evolutionary psychology for being biologically determinist, reactionary, and lacking falsifiability and scientific rigor. In this talk, I’ll introduce you to the field of evolutionary psychology, its foundational principles and methods as well as common misunderstandings, questions, and legitimate concerns.

Diana-Fleischman-The-Weekend-University
Dr Diana Fleischman, PhD

Evolutionary Psychology: An Introduction

Reading Recommendations:

Against Nature? Homosexuality & Evolution

Same-sex behaviour is often condemned on the grounds that it is “against nature”. Indeed, selection favours those who leave more offspring. Nevertheless, homosexual behaviour is widespread – not only amongst humans, but other animals alike. Some may say that homosexual behaviour has been around forever but because of our more tolerant attitude, that’s why we’re hearing about it more often and that likely is the case. As a society, we are far more accepting of homosexual behaviour now, so much so sites like this Anal Dating site exist so people can seek pleasure from others like them.

Doesn’t this constitute a paradox for Darwinian theory? And should we make connections between what goes on in nature and what is morally desirable? The talk will address these controversial topics.

Professor Volker Sommer
Professor Volker Sommer

Against Nature? Homosexuality & Evolution

Volker Sommer, PhD is Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at University College London. His research interests focus on the evolution of human and primate social and sexual behaviour, cognition, rituals, biodiversity conservation, animal rights and evolutionary ethics. Even studying popular role play themes in humans such as making your own foxy lady have become a part of his fascinating research.

He serves on the boards of various journals and is the only scientist advising on both the “Section on Great Apes” and the “Section on Small Apes” of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Sommer has published several hundred articles – scientific as well as popular – and two dozens of books, including novels and poetry. He is a renowned science journalist in German-speaking countries, regularly featured by major magazines and newspapers.

Reading Recommendations:

Evolution & Compassion Focused Therapy

Can an evolutionary understanding of our minds help explain, and offer solutions to many of the mental health problems we face today?

This talk, from the Founder of Compassion Focused Therapy and one of the world’s leading evolutionary psychologists, will explore how, by understanding the evolved nature of the human mind, and the importance of the social and cultural contexts in which it develops, it can help us better treat common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

Particular attention will be given to the nature and difference between evolved motives (that guide us throughout life) emotions (that come and go according to the contexts in our lives) and competencies (our abilities to do certain things such as think reason and have empathy). It is the patterning of these different aspects of mind that give rise to different states of mind.

The talk will then go on to explore the rapidly developing evidence base for Compassion Focused Therapy, and how compassion, like anger or aggression, is an extremely powerful motivational force that can bring about real, lasting change .

You’ll learn how this groundbreaking form of therapy can help you be kinder both towards yourself and others, end toxic self criticism, heal trauma and shame, and improve your emotional wellbeing.

Professor Paul Gilbert OBE
Professor Paul Gilbert OBE

Evolution & Compassion Focused Therapy

Professor Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is a British clinical psychologist, the founder of compassion focused therapy (CFT), compassionate mind training (CMT) and author of books such as The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life’s Challenges, Overcoming Depression.

He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 40 years with a special focus on the roles of mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed. Professor Gilbert has written/edited 21 books and over 200 papers. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement: “To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion”.

Reading Recommendations:

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attendee testimonals

What TWU students are saying

The Weekend University is amazing! They recently hosted the Holistic Change Summit where such great minds were brought together to discuss a wide variety of topics relevant to change, growth and living a meaningful life. The facilitator, Niall, asked excellent questions which really gave the speaker the chance to discuss ideas that many of us wonder about. It was brilliant and I loved it.
Kiden Shae
Summit Attendee
Extremely stimulating events! It brings together great professionals who share their experience in their respective fields to pass their knowledge in a way accessible to the general public and other professionals alike. It is a great way to bring motivated people in the same place! Also, Niall is extremely thoughtful, considerate and driven person. His personal approach and professionalism in making those events happen does not go unnoticed!
Nikolay Petrov
Event Attendee
This event is nourishment for my mind! The kind of subjects usually reserved for academics is now open to us all and the information is delivered in a way that anyone can understand. The audience was filled with interesting people, hungry to learn and engage in fascinating conversations. We had all day to connect, to learn and to share. Just like a delicious cool drink on a very hot day, my mind felt quenched! Thank you, Niall, for creating this. I will be back!
David Saville
Event Attendee
Absolutely excellent day with The Weekend University last Saturday on Attachment and Psychotherapy. Superb speaker who was totally engaging, really useful practical insights, and great organisation. Thank you!
Helen Jane
Event Attendee
I attended an Existential Coaching seminar out of curiosity and ended up being supermotivated and serious to get more into this subject! The event was really went organised, the venue was central and easy to find and the organisers and facilitator were amazing. Totally recomend!
Fiora Maya Touliatou
Seminar Attendee
My first time at the Weekend University on their day of Wellbeing a fantastic event. Excellent venue, thought provoking speakers, interesting topics, really well organised, communication, support material a 5 star rating.
Viryapushpa Nolan
Event Attendee
I attended 'A Day on Sleep and Dreams’ and it was fantastic - excellent speakers and thought provoking content. The Weekend University has been a great discovery and I will defiantly be attending more lectures. The event was really well organised by Niall - informative emails, follow ups etc. I recommend that everyone takes the opportunity to go, you won’t be disappointed!
Hannah Durhager
Event Attendee
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Date and time

25/11/2018

09:30 – 17:00 BST

Location

Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HX

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