Public Lecture Napier

Date: 26–27 September 2012 Time: 5.30 pm

Victoria University of Wellington invites you to a free public lecture to be presented by Dr Gina Grimshaw, from the School of Psychology and Professor Alan Dixson, from the School of Biological Sciences.

The Eye of the Beholder

What is beauty? What do we find beautiful? Why? Although many think of beauty as something that exists in the world, scientists think of it as a creation of the mind. In this lecture we learn how psychological researchers and neuroscientists study the perception of beauty, and examine the effects that beauty has on our everyday thoughts, desires, and actions.

Gina Grimshaw is a Cognitive Neuroscientist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology. Her research focuses on how brains perceive, interpret, and remember emotional information, and how those processes play a role in psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

Human Mating Systems

Although monogamy is widespread in human cultures worldwide, many cultures also allow polygynous marriage. Why might this be the case? The quest to understand the remote origins of human mating behaviour can be enlightened by comparative studies of the non-human primates. Some lemurs, monkeys and apes have polygynous or monogamous mating systems; others engage in more variable, multipartner matings. This talk will explore the comparative evidence concerning the origins of human monogamy and polygyny.

Alan Dixson is a Professor of Biological Sciences who studies reproductive biology and the evolution of sexuality in primates.

Thursday 6 September, 5.30 – 8.00pm

Eastern Institute of Technology, Gloucester Street, Taradale, Napier

Room LTH1, Lecture Theatre 1

If you would like to attend, please email
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with ‘Napier Lecture’ in the subject line

or phone (04) 472 1000 by Friday 31 August.

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