Have a brainwave (and see it on screen) at science of emotion event
11 Nov 2015
Hard feelings: the science of emotion on Saturday, 14 November (10.30am-3.30pm) at the Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4EP
University of Manchester psychologists are providing people with an emotional experience this Saturday (14 November) through a fascinating set of activities that explore the science of feelings.
As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, the team from the University has assembled a range of technology, including a brain waves recording system which will show on a computer how participants’ brains react to completing different tasks.
The exhibition space at Manchester Museum of science and Industry will also contain computer games where people can test their ability to judge feelings based on a sound or expression. For smaller visitors there’s the chance to make ‘neurons’ out of pipe cleaner and Plasticine, and for the older ones – exhibitions showcasing the University’s latest research.
Dr Georgia Chronaki, who has co-organised the event, said: “Our emotions are central to our lives – they allow us to figure out what we like and what we don’t like and dictate how we should act in different situations.
“However there’s a lot that we are only now able to discover about what emotions are, how they affect us and how good people really are at identifying the feelings of others.”
The event, which is free, also includes models displaying information about brain areas important for emotion recognition and processing, displays about how to process difficult emotions (such as anger, aggression, sadness, anxiety and depression).
Researchers will be available to answer questions from the general public and a large number of volunteers will support the exhibits.
Dr Karen Lander, co-organising the event added: “This really is a great chance to get to the bottom of the latest thinking about feelings and there’ll be something for all members of the family to get involved in on the day.”
The event is supported by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Further information