UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst | Library | Umail | Spire | People Finder 

Search

Match case Regex

Categories

Creative Commons License
This weblog is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

« Kyle Johnson, Colloqs on Demand | Main | The ECO 5 Syntax Workshop»

Hampshire Talk on Facial Expressions

Hampshire College Program in Culture Brain and Development Presents:

Paul Whalen
Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Dartmouth College in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

The Information Value of Facial Expression of Emotion

5:30 pm, March 9, East Lecture Hall, Franklin Petterson Hall, Hampshire College

Abstract

Whalen uses brain imaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI) to study emotion, specifically how the brain responds to perceived threats. To be more specific, Whalen studies the brain’s response to the facial expressions of others. “What is he afraid of?” “Should I be afraid too?” We will see that a brain area called the amygdala is particularly responsive to what is predicted by the facial expressions of others. In addition, the prefrontal cortex attempts to control some of this reactivity. It is in this conversation between the prefrontal cortex and brain areas like the amygdala that we see interesting differences across individuals. This work has implications for understanding one’s own fluctuating anxiety levels as well as diagnosable disorders of fear management (i.e., anxiety disorders). Visit Whalen's laboratory website for more information.

The lecture halls are accessible. If you need special accommodations, please contact Hampshire's disabilities services office, (413) 559-5423, at least one week before the lecture date.