APS and ESN Sponsor Distinguished Symposium on Epigenetics

Pursuing big questions in psychological science is an international effort. APS recently co-sponsored programs featuring cross-cutting research presentations by some of the most distinguished scientists in the field — “Social Psychology and the Neurosciences: Perspectives and Pitfalls” at the European Association of Social Psychology (EASP); “Exploring the Dynamic Interaction Between Genes, Environment and the Brain” at the Federation of the European Societies of Neuropsychology (ESN); and “Where is Embodiment Going?” at the European Society for Cognitive Psychology (ESCOP). Here are some of the program highlights.

Symposium on Epigenetics at the ESN 2011 in Basel, Switzerland

Epigenetics was the focus of a symposium co-sponsored by APS and ESN. Moderator Walter Mischel (Columbia University, USA) led a discussion featuring panelists Frances A. Champagne (Columbia University, USA), Isabelle M. Mansuy (University/ETH Zürich, Switzerland), Marinus Van IJzendoorn (Leiden University, Netherlands), and Jonathan Mill (Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK). The topics of the discussion ranged from epigenetics and early trauma to epigenetic factors in neuropsychiatric diseases. Video highlights of the symposium are below:

Introduction by Alan Kraut, APS Executive Director and Symposium Moderator Walter Mischel, Columbia University, USA

Frances A. Champagne, Columbia University, USA (introduced by Walter Mischel, Columbia University, USA), suggested that the Nature vs. Nurture debate is oversimplified. She says that our experiences shape our biology and vice-versa.

Isabelle Mansuy, University/ETH Zürich, Switzerland