Events Calendar
The Political Mind
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October 26, 2017 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Political Mind
Thursday, October 26, 2017 | 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Details
This session explores how the divide in the country reflects a deeper division in how Americans understand the world and how our brains work. New research also shows that primarily unconscious processes determine political decision making. Understanding what happens behind the scenes—our minds using frames, prototypes, emotions and metaphors—can help us better understand conservative and liberal voting choices and each other. The session examines ways to go beyond prevailing “self interest” related language that has been dominating political discourse and the advantage to be gained in talking instead about social issues using the frames of empathy and responsibility and how to communicate respectfully. As George Lakoff states: “(American is about) people caring both for themselves and one another and acting responsibly on that sense of care.”
Frances Bigda-Peyton, Ph.D., Cert.Psya. is on the faculty of the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis where she teaches and supervises students. She has over thirty years experience practicing in a variety of mental health settings. She has a special interest in research and the intersection of psychoanalysis and social interests such as climate change, consumption and institutional functioning. Her current interest in how societies operate in a tribal world of American politics is reflected in the brain research offered in this presentation.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
7:00 to 8:30 PM
1.5 CE Credits/Clock Hours
Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Identify two competing models of thought related to how the country is governed.
- Discuss what the brain is doing behind the scenes in matters related to politics.
- Explore value differences between conservative and liberal views and discuss how to communicate respectfully about them.
This event is not qualify for NBCC credit.