Plenary Session: Toward a Global Psychological Science

This session invites scholars to envision a psychological science that truly spans the globe, bridging the richness of cultural diversity with the universality of human experience. From Asifa Majid’s exploration of how language and culture shape cognition, to Laurence Kirmayer’s innovative ecosocial approach to mental health, the panel highlights groundbreaking methods for understanding the mind in context. Amber Thalmayer will share transformative lifespan research from Africa, while Harvey Whitehouse will reveal how universal traits like conformism, religiosity, and tribalism have shaped humanity. Together, these talks will illuminate a bold path toward a more inclusive, impactful, and globally connected psychological science.