About this course
What is the nature of love? In this course we will explore the neuroscientific research on social relationships. We will investigate a wide range of relationships, including, but not limited to, parent-sibling relationships, friendships, romantic relationships, as well as social ostracism and rejection. As we examine these relationships through an evolutionary lens, we consider primate brain evolution and the evolutionary functions and adaptive values of social connections. A fundamental question will be whether neuroscientific research enhances our understanding of social relationships. Furthermore, we will investigate how variation in the cultural emphasis on independence and interdependence relates to differences in brain activity and social relationships across differing cultures. A principal framework for our inquires will be to understand the implications this research has for health and wellbeing.
Syllabus
Pre-requisites
One course in neuroscience, physiological psychology, biological psychology, or cognitive psychology at university level.
Faculty
Morgan Frost Karlsson
FacultyMSc, cognitive neuroscience, University of Skövde, 2018 BA neuroscience, Boston university, 2016. PhD student, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping university, 2021-present. Research assistant, Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, 2018-2021. Masters thesis, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, 2018. Laboratory assistant, Gardner Lab of Neural Circuitry Formation, Boston University, 2013-2016. With DIS since 2025.
Hannaneh Yazdi
FacultyPh.D. in Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm-Sweden, 2020-2024 M.Sc. in Project Management, Northumbria University, Newcastle-United Kingdom, 2012 – 2013 M.Sc. in International Project Management, Chalmers University Gothenburg-Sweden, 2011 – 2013 B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering, Azad University, Tehran-Iran, 2005 – 2010 , PhD Candidate in Clinical Neuroscience / Karolinska Institutet / Stockholm, Sweden / July 2020 – Present Various positions in Research and Development ( Program Office Manager, Portfolio Office Manager, Strategy Analyst, and Clinical Neuroscience Researcher-Industrial PhD Candidate) / Volvo Cars / Gothenburg, Sweden / March 2015– March 2023 Guest Lecturer & Examiner in Project Psychology for International Project Management Master’s Program / Chalmers University of Technology/ Gothenburg, Sweden / Sep 2017 – Dec 2017 Experienced in organizational culture and team development: Leader of Human Leaders Community / Volvo Cars / Gothenburg, Sweden / Aug 2021 – Dec 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Champion (initiator of cognitive diversity inside the organization) / Volvo Cars / Gothenburg, Sweden / Jan 2018 – Mar 2019 TEDxKI speaker (Taking a Spiral journey to Authentic Diversity) / Stockholm, Sweden / March 2022. With DIS since 2023.