The Weekend University

If you log onto Facebook, you will see reams of photos of your friends doing happy and fulfilling things, and seemingly cruising through life. Yet below this surface of carefully-staged online impression management, life is a far rougher ride for many adults that they would be likely to admit. Indeed, in a nationwide survey, participants were asked to evaluate whether their life was in a major crisis. 22% said yes, 33% said maybe, and 45% said no. So why is crisis so prevalent in adult life? Does it have a function, or are humans just inherently fragile? In this talk, Dr Oliver Robinson explores how crises can help you unlock new potential that would otherwise remain dormant, that they have a clear function in acting as a stimulus for seeking new information, making positive changes, and making new (sometimes hard) discoveries about ourselves and the reality around us. Dr Oliver Robinson is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich, and the course coordinator for Adult Development and Mental Health. His research focuses on how identity, wellbeing and mental health are affected by major life transitions, crises and ageing processes during adulthood. Dr Robinson’s work has gained attention from the New Scientist, The Guardian, BBC Radio 4, The Telegraph and The Times. Links: Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox:http://bit.ly/new-talks Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/ Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theweekenduniversity Oliver’s books: https://amzn.to/2GWtb54 Oliver’s website & newsletter: https://www.oliverrobinson.info/

In this engaging discussion, Johann Hari, an award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author, reveals that depression and anxiety stem from societal issues, not just chemical imbalances. His global journey uncovered nine real causes and seven effective solutions for mental health, emphasizing the power of community and connections. Hari explores the impact of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations, the trauma-obesity link, and the importance of supportive environments in healing, all while advocating for systemic changes that foster human dignity and well-being.

Right now, billions of neurons in your brain are working together to generate your conscious experience. How does this happen? According to neuroscientist Anil Seth, we’re all hallucinating all the time; when we agree about our hallucinations, we call it “reality.” This talk will provide an insight into how consciousness emerges from the material brain, and how changes to our brain can result in bizarre experiences of consciousness. You’ll learn about the latest research in the new science of consciousness and how cutting-edge experiments in neuroscience are shedding light on the underlying neural mechanisms that give us our conscious experience in normal life, as well as in neurological and psychiatric conditions. Anil Seth is professor of cognitive and computational neuroscience at the University of Sussex, and co-director of the Sackler centre for consciousness science. He is the co-author of the 30 Second Brain and contributes regularly to a variety of media including the New Scientist, The Guardian, and the BBC. Links: - If you are interested in hiring Professor Seth to speak at your conference, please enquire at: http://www.anilseth.com/contact - Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks - Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/ - Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theweekenduni... - Anil’s book: https://amzn.to/2ATvqkK - Check out Anil’s website: http://www.anilseth.com/ - Check out the neuroscience of consciousness journal: https://academic.oup.com/nc - Donate to Brighton & Hove Impetus: https://www.justgiving.com/BHimpetus

‘Learning how to learn is life’s most important skill.’ Tony Buzan. This talk from a leading Cambridge Neuroscientist will show you how to tap into your hidden potential using discoveries from the neuroscience of learning. Whether you want to master a new language, learn a new skill, or ace an upcoming exam, developing an understanding of the science of learning is one of the most effective things you can do. The talk will explore the neural mechanisms involved in the learning process, how the brain processes and stores new information, and will conclude with practical strategies you can use to accelerate your own learning process. Dr. Michelle Ellefson is a senior lecturer in Psychology & Education at the University of Cambridge. Her work integrates cognition, neuroscience, child development, and education into a multi-disciplinary research, international research programme. Links: - Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks - Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/ - Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theweekenduniversity - Michelle’s bio: https://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/people/staff/ellefson/ - Info on the INSTRUCT Research Group: https://sites.google.com/site/instructlab/

In this engaging discussion, Professor Bruce Hood, a noted developmental psychologist and author, unpacks the intriguing idea that our sense of self is an illusion shaped by childhood experiences. He argues that the self arises from social interactions and is deeply linked to brain development. Hood explores how perceptions and narratives construct our identities, the effects of stress on behavior, and the challenges of self-identity in the digital age, highlighting the crucial role of real-life connections amid online personas.

Dr Kevin Lu will explore Jung’s model of the psyche, with special attention to the definitive concepts differentiating analytical psychology from Freudian psychonanalysis. In particular, the talk will critically assess Jung’s formulation of the archetypal Self, which acts as the end goal of the individuation process. While critiques of Jung’s search for universal patterns of human experience and action — which in turn may have limited his appreciation of the influence exerted by social and contextual factors — are duly noted, Dr Lu suggests that the true contribution of Jung’s psychology cannot be divorced from one of its major limitations: it seeks to say something both general and specific about the human condition. What Jung yearns for is not an imitation of old, worn out patterns, but a creative engagement with them that allows us to experience the fullness of life in all its complexities. Dr Kevin Lu, PhD, is Director of Graduate Studies and Director of the MA Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of the International Association for Jungian Studies. Links: Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox:http://bit.ly/new-talks Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/ Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theweekenduniversity For more info on the MA in Jungian & Post Jungian Studies: https://vimeo.com/67385596

Every society in human history, except ours, accepted the basic human need to lose control, go beyond the ego, and connect with something bigger than ourselves. This experience became known as ecstasy. In this talk, Jules Evans explores various forms of ecstatic experience, argues that transcendence is good for us and through proper practice, can help us find healing, inspiration, connection and joy. Jules Evans is Policy Director at the Centre for the History of Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London and a leading researcher into ecstatic experience. Jules’ first book, Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations was published in 19 countries and was selected by Matthew Syed as a Times Book of the Year. He has written for The Times, Financial Times, Guardian, Spectator and WIRED and is a BBC New Generation Thinker. Links: Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/ Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theweekenduniversity Support Jules on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/philosophyforlife Check out Jules’ books: https://amzn.to/2Envsnz Check out Jules website: http://philosophyforlife.org

Delve into the fascinating intersection of philosophy and psychotherapy, where existential ideas shape mental health practices. Discover how the works of thinkers like Nietzsche and Kierkegaard influenced therapeutic approaches. Emmy van Deurzen shares her journey in existential therapy and emphasizes the importance of personal meaning. Explore how embracing life's paradoxes can lead to personal growth and navigate the emotional compass to enhance well-being. Dive into the transformative power of self-awareness and the holistic approach to understanding human existence.

CBT offers evidence-based treatments for common psychological problems as depression, generalised anxiety disorder (worry), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social anxiety, low self-esteem and anger. Stoicism is having something of a cultural moment, offering a more Western alternative to Buddhism for those searching for a less materialistic and pleasure-driven yet more meaningful and purpose-driven life. Stoicism’s aim is not to repress emotions but to develop wisdom and to become a virtuoso at living like an excellent human being. In this interactive and practical talk, Tim LeBon, a CBT psychotherapist and writer on Stoicism and practical philosophy, will explore how CBT & stoicism can be combined to improve mood, create lasting changes, reduce anxiety and worry, and offer practical solutions for living a meaningful life. Tim LeBon is an experienced UKCP Registered psychotherapist and BABCP accredited CBT therapist who has trained in a number of approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), existential therapy and philosophical counselling. He studied P.P.E at Oxford, gaining a first class degree, and then took an M.Phil at London University in Philosophy, Ethics and Ancient Philosophy. Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/ Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theweekenduni... Check out Tim’s book: https://amzn.to/2P57sHS

This lecture will explore Carl Jung's unique approach to the psychology of religion, which will include a critical assessment of his controversial Answer to Job and his reservations regarding westerners turning to eastern religions and practices. While it is clear that Jung struggled with his own belief and the role of religious institutions in maintaining psychological well-being, there may be an indication that the ambivalence with which he regarded organised religion shifted as he approached the end of his life. Dr Kevin Lu, PhD, is Director of Graduate Studies and Director of the MA Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of the International Association for Jungian Studies. Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: http://bit.ly/new-talks Check out our next event: http://theweekenduniversity.com/events/ Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theweekenduniversity For more info on the MA in Jungian & Post Jungian Studies: https://vimeo.com/67385596