ABC Seminar: Social alignment - advantages and disadvantages

Welcome to our ABC Seminars! 

This time the speakers will give a remote talk, join us on Zoom at: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/67444945844

We will also have a live streaming/projection of the talk. Feel free to join us at Otakaari 3, room F227. 

Speakers: Chris Frith & Uta Frith (University College London)

Title: Social alignment - advantages and disadvantages

Abstract

Social creatures align with each other spontaneously. They move together and learn together without needing a director to tell them what to do. This alignment occurs at many different levels. At the physical level there is alignment of movements, such as is observed in flocks of birds or shoals of fish. Alignment of goals allows more than mere copying of movements and is critical for successful joint actions. In humans only, there is a higher level still in the form of mental alignment. A desirable consequence of alignment with others is an increase in affiliation and liking, opening opportunities for altruistic behaviour. However, there are also problems, such as choosing the wrong level of alignment. For example, successful joint action often requires complementary behaviour. For this we need alignment at the level of goals, but not alignment of movements. Alignment at the mental level has a critical role in joint decision-making, but can lead to bad consequences, such as ‘group think’. It is through interactions between the different levels, that it is possible to create alignments that are flexible and appropriate for different kinds of interaction.

Bios

Chris Frith FRS, FMedSci, FBA is Emeritus Professor of Neuropsychology at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging and Honorary Research Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy. Since completing his PhD in 1969 he was funded by the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust to study the relationship between the mind and the brain. He is a pioneer in the application of brain imaging to the study of mental processes. He has contributed more than 500 papers to scientific journals and is known for his work on agency, social cognition, and understanding the minds of people with mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Uta Frith DBE, FRS, FMedSci, FBA is Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London. As MRC Scientist from 1968 to 2006 she carried out research on neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular autism and dyslexia. Over the last decade Uta has extended her collaboration with Chris on topics relating to social cognition. Uta has a special interest in science communication and is keen to promote a research culture that values quality more than quantity.

Uta and Chris have recently completed a book “What makes us social” to be published by MIT Press in September. It presents evidence to complement the graphic novel, “Two Heads”, produced together with their son, Alex and artist Daniel Locke. It was published last year by Bloomsbury and Simon & Schuster.