Convergence: Connecting Levels of Analysis in Psychological Science In the past, our field harbored distinct, and often competing, schools of thought that tackled different problems and produced findings that often appeared to diverge. Today, investigators attack shared problems at complementary levels of analysis and produce results that converge. Studies of people in a social world; mental systems of cognition and emotion; and biological mechanisms of the genome and the nervous system interconnect and yield an integrated psychological science. The APS 23rd Annual Convention displays, and celebrates, these advances in our field.

Theme Programs

Music, Mind, and Brain

Disaster, Response, and Recovery

Biological Beings in Social Context


Saturday, May 26, 2012, 12:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Music, Mind, and Brian Theme Poster Session: Saturday, May 26, 2012, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

It's just sound - structured, organized sound. Yet it has surrounded us, moved us, and echoed in our memories throughout the history of our species. In this theme program, three of the world's leading psychologists and neuroscientists in the study of music, and one of the world's leading musicians, discuss the psychological systems and "orchestra of brain regions" through which music enriches our lives.

Including a special concert with Dale Boyle, Kevin Feyen, Robert W. Levenson, Daniel J. Levitin, Bianca Levy, and featuring Victor Wooten
Five-Time Grammy Award Winner and
Bassist for Béla Fleck & The Flecktones

Victor Wooten
Aniruddh D. Patel

Musical Beat Processing in Humans and Other Species
Aniruddh D. Patel
The Neurosciences Institute

Carol Krumhansl

Five Decades of Top Hits: Memories Are Made of This...
Carol Lynne Krumhansl
Cornell University

Daniel Levitin

The Cognitive Basis of Musical Expertise: Are Musicians Born or Made?
Daniel J. Levitin
McGill University, Canada

Victor Wooten

Music, Mind, and Brain
Victor Wooten
Five-Time Grammy Award Winner and Bassist for Béla Fleck & The Flecktones




Disaster, Response, and Recovery

Friday, May 25, 2012, 9:00 AM - 12: 45 PM
Disaster, Response, and Recovery Theme Poster Session: Friday, May 25, 2012, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Disasters - natural (floods, earthquakes landslides) or human-induced (war, terrorism, crowding disasters) — present psychological science with multiple challenges: identifying the psychological and biological effects of trauma; helping the traumatized victims; and formulating interventions that might prevent disasters from occurring. In this theme program, international leaders in the study of disaster, response, and recovery show how these challenges can be, and have been, met.

Silvia H. Koller

Understanding and Building Resilience in At-Risk Populations
Silvia H. Koller
Rio Grande do Sul Federal University, Brazil

Dirk Helbing

FuturICT - New Science and Technology for a More Resilient and Sustainable Future
Dirk Helbing
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich




Friday, May 25, 2012, 2:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Biological Beings in Social Context Theme Poster Session: Friday, May 25, 2012, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Nature "versus" nurture? Not anymore! In today's psychological science, they're on the same team. Research reveals the interdependencies among biological systems and social contexts. Environmental and interpersonal factors influence the expression of genes, the development of the brain, and the growth of the individual from the beginnings of life. In this theme program, speakers present cutting-edge advances in the study of biological beings in social context.

Elissa Epel

Life Experiences and Rate of Cell Aging: Are Our Cells Listening In?
Elissa Epel
University of California, San Francisco

Christine Dunkel Schetter

Social Context and Biology in Maternal Physical and Mental Health
Christine Dunkel Schetter
University of California, Los Angeles

Annette Karmiloff-Smith

Genetic and Environmental Vulnerabilities: The Importance of Cross-syndrome Comparisons
Annette Karmiloff-Smith
Birkbeck, University of London, United Kingdom