- BERG - University of Stirling Mailing Lists

BERG talk / March 21st
by Paxton Culpepper 19 Mar '18

19 Mar '18

Dear BERG peeps, This week BERG will be hosting two speakers. PhD Candidate Paxton Culpepper will be giving a talk on his research, but we are also hosting a briefly visiting PhD student, Zsófia Csajbók, from University of Charles ,Prague, who wanted a chance to experience the friendly BERG atmosphere while she was in town. We will hear first from Zsófia. She will be discussing a piece of research her and her colleagues have been conducting, entitled: A higher 'GPA' or at least a passing grade in all 'subjects'? Passing the exam as a potential mate Brief blurb: A potential mate can be assessed along several factors (e.g., warmth, attractiveness, status, intelligence). How do these evaluations determine the overall desirability of a potential partner? Using a school analogy, one could devise at least two strategies: (1) taking some overall evaluation based on the distinct 'grades' (e.g., 'GPA'), or (2) requiring the candidate to achieve at least a 'passing grade' in all 'subjects'. In other words, which potential mates do people like better: those with a higher overall value but scoring low in one dimension, or candidates with mostly mediocre (but never low) scores? We were looking for the answers conducting an experiment using manipulated vignettes. (Rehearsal for the EHBEA Conference.) After Zsófia's talk, Paxton will be discussing his latest study, entitled: New Religions: Pathogen threat and cultural divergence Abstract: There is wide variation between cultures and their underlying belief systems, e.g. their religion. Evidence suggests that religion may function to promote prosocial cooperation among unrelated individuals but this alone cannot explain these variations. Cultures and their associated religions are based on and influenced by the society's values, which are reflected in its social rules. However, pathogen stress may impact values and affect cultural and religious trajectory by influencing the extent to which assortative social or prosocial rules are favoured. We tested this via the thought experiment: 'what if humans could start a new society founded on a newly developed set of basic social rules - on what rules would you build this new society?' Forty participants were asked to build a rule system they think would be most supported by potential citizens of the society. First, they rated either a set of pathogen-salient (PS) or pathogen-free (PF) images and then selected and ranked in importance, 15 rules from a list of 60 social rules (20 prosocial, assortative social, and pathogen-management). Analysis revealed that PS-viewers favoured (proportion and weighting) assortative social rules compared with the PF-viewers, who favoured prosocial rules. Selection of pathogen-management rules showed no group difference but were favoured less than prosocial rules and more than assortative social rules by PF-viewers. This may help explain how prolonged pathogen stress can increase in-group assortative sociality and lead to divergence and variation of cultures and their belief systems. Since we have two speakers this week, we will be starting the meeting at 5:15pm (apologies if this isn't convenient for some of you). Drinks and munchies provided! Hope to see everyone there! Paxton ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

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BERG Talk Wednesday, March 14th
by Paxton Culpepper 12 Mar '18

12 Mar '18

Hello BERG people, This Wednesday (March 14th) we have PhD Candidate - Juliet Dunstone, giving a talk on her interesting research, entitled: How do I know, that you know, that you know? Using dual-tasks to investigate metacognitive learning strategies for cumulative cultural evolution. Abstract Cumulative cultural evolution is an apparently human unique ability to change and improve the behaviours or artefacts we use, which leads us to have artefacts and societies that no human could have invented within their lifetime. One current theory about why this ability is unique to humans is that humans are able to use metacognition (knowledge about one's own knowledge) to make effective strategic decisions about what information to use and where to get this information from. However, there is little to no empirical evidence to test this theory. This is partly due to methodological difficulties in testing for metacognition in lab conditions. In this talk I will explain how I am using dual-task methods to try to overcome this methodological issue, and how I chose the particular methods that I am using in current and future testing. We hope to see you all there at 5:30pm sharp. As usual, drinks and munchies provided. Best, Paxton ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

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BERG and suggested reading for this Wednesday's talk
by Paxton Culpepper 04 Mar '18

04 Mar '18

Dear BERG tribe, This week we have an exciting talk from PhD candidate Sophia Daoudi and Prof Phyllis Lee, entitled: Defining Animal Groups. They have asked me to circulate an article for your own interest and for preparation for the talk/discussion (not that you must be 'prepared', but the paper is worth reading nonetheless!). Please find the article attached to this message. We are excited to see everyone back, alive and well at BERG - Wednesday, 07 March, 5:30pm sharp. Drinks and munchies provided. All the best, Paxton ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

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Fwd: Gifford Lectures by Agustin Fuentes, 26 Feb-8 Mar
by Hannah Buchanan-Smith 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

An interesting lecture series in Edinburgh.....lecture 3 at 5.30pm on 1st March of particular interest to the HAI Masters. Apologies for cross postings. Best, Hannah Gifford Lecture series in Edinburgh by Agustin Fuentes, 26 Feb - 8 Mar 2018: 'Why we believe: evolution, making meaning, and the development of human natures'. https://www.ed.ac.uk/arts-humanities-soc-sci/news-events/lectures/gifford-l… Professor Dr Agustin Fuentes - Why We Believe: evolution ...<https://www.ed.ac.uk/arts-humanities-soc-sci/news-events/lectures/gifford-l…> www.ed.ac.uk<http://www.ed.ac.uk> Professor Dr Agustin Fuentes' Gifford Lecture Series is made up of six lectures under the series title 'Why We Believe: evolution, making meaning, and the development ...

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BERG cancelled
by Paxton Culpepper 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

Dear BERG snow-beasts, I am very sorry to say (especially for Jade) that due to the adverse weather, BERG is being cancelled tonight. However, we promise to hear Jade's talk at the end of the semester - it has been moved to April 18th. If the weather subsides by next week, we hope to see you all next Wednesday for Sophia and Phyllis' talk. Enjoy the snow and be safe! Paxton ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

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BERG Seminar - 28 Feb
by Paxton Culpepper 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

Dear BERG peeps, Although Wednesday is technically a strike day, since BERG is not a part of teaching, the salary, or the pension, I am happy to tell you that we WILL be holding the BERG seminar this Wednesday. This week we have PhD candidate, Jade Hooper, giving a talk on her interesting work, entitled: Exploring Social and Locality Variations of Dog Bites in Scotland Using Administrative Data Sources [when your child] Rates of hospital admissions due to dog bite incidents have risen considerably over the last 10 years (HSCIC, 2015). Of particular concern is the finding that hospital admissions for dog bites are highest in the most deprived areas across England and Wales (HSCIC 2014; 2015). However, there is a paucity of research which aims to explore why this may be or how this issue may be addressed. Whilst there is a public interest in these figures in Scotland, thus far there has been no rigorous empirical investigation into social inequalities in dog related injuries. Through an innovative and ambitious analysis of linked by-product data, the current study hopes to address this gap. The study will use a range of data sources to examine both individual and area-based characteristics which may help uncover some of the reasons why these patterns may exist, and how they can be addressed. Health data from dog bite incidents will be requested and linked with census records. Microchip data will also be requested in a bid to account for dog populations which in the past have not be considered when links with social disadvantage and dog bite injuries have been found. Through this analysis, the study aims to help inform policy for the reduction of dog bites and aid in effective identification and targeting of interventions for areas and individuals most at risk. This presentation will discuss some of the difficulties associated with the research area and specific challenges related to the project. The floor will then be opened to allow for more general discussion surrounding the subject area. We look forward to seeing you at 5:30pm sharp. Drinks and munchies provided. All the best, Paxton ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Division of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

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Re: [BERG] Dr Liz Renner's BERG talk
by Paxton Culpepper 23 Feb '18

23 Feb '18

Dear BERG folks, The paper that Liz's very interesting BERG talk was on has now been published - Congratulations to her and her colleagues! For those of you interested (and/or who missed the talk), please find the paper attached to this message. All the best, Paxton ______________________________ Paxton D. Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Department of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

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Attention: BERG people
by Paxton Culpepper 20 Feb '18

20 Feb '18

Dear BERG colleagues, Remember, there is no BERG meeting this week as it is reading week. But we will be back next week with a talk from PhD candidate, Jade Hooper - for which details will be announced next Monday. On another note: One of our own, PhD candidate - Lesley Craig, has written an article published in The Conversation, entitled: Putting primates on screen is fuelling the illegal pet trade. Please follow the link for this interesting piece: https://theconversation.com/putting-primates-on-screen-is-fuelling-the-ille… The BERG team looks forward to seeing you all back next Wednesday! All the best, Paxton ______________________________ Paxton Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Department of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

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BERG cancelled this week
by Paxton Culpepper 12 Feb '18

12 Feb '18

Dear BERG folks, In light of the fact that this Wednesday is Valentine's Day and many people will be spending the evening with their partner (or partners - see the evolution of polygamy), I think it's best that we cancel BERG this week. Also, we could not arrange for a speaker this week, which may be due to the same reason. However, I will be adding an extra BERG talk slot to the end of the BERG calendar (April 18th) to make up for this lost week. Anyone interested in this added slot please contact me directly. Next week (Feb 21st) is mid-semester break so we will not be convening for that week either. But, we will be back for Wednesday Feb 28th to enjoy Jade Hooper's talk. I will make the necessary announcement for her talk at the beginning of that week. From that week on we will be enjoying the BERG talks weekly, uninterrupted until April 18th. Until Feb 28th, have a happy Valentine's Day and a relaxing yet fruitful mid-semester break. Please contact me anytime with any BERG-related questions. Kind regards, Paxton ______________________________ Paxton Culpepper, BSc, MSc PhD Candidate | Psychology Department of Psychology Behaviour and Evolution Research Group Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK Office: 3B134 Cottrell Building Phone: +44 (0) 1786 466852 Fax: +44 (0) 1786 467641 Email: p.d.culpepper(a)stir.ac.uk<mailto:p.d.culpepper@stir.ac.uk>

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Fw: Call for abstracts - YSLR workshop
by Christine Caldwell 11 Feb '18

11 Feb '18

Hello all, In case it is of interest, please see below for details of the Young Social Learning Researchers network meeting, to be held in St Andrews this year.? Christine. [cid:7500937c-f0dd-42fa-be03-201aff63e482] On the 21st & 22nd June this year, the Young Social Learning Researchers (YSLR) network<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yslr.c…> will be hosting its 2nd annual workshop! The workshop will be held at the historic University of St Andrews, located on the beautiful east coast of Scotland. YSLR aims to bring together early career researchers from all corners of the broad and diverse field of Social Learning, to promote interdisciplinary collaborations and form an international community. The workshop will provide a platform for discussion on the state-of-art in the field, and will help participants develop interdisciplinary thinking and build a support network of fellow researchers. All participants are invited to present their work in the form of a poster, and you will also have the opportunity to network with colleagues and senior researchers from the University of St Andrews in an open-doors event. The workshop will conclude with a panel of senior researchers discussing the topic "Learning in the field - 20 years of Social Learning", followed by a Q&A session. Confirmed panel guests so far are: Prof Malinda Carpenter, Prof Kevin Laland, Dr Luke Rendell and (TBC) Dr Ellen Garland. More information and a workshop programme can be found on the workshop website<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yslr.c…> (further details will be posted there as they are confirmed). At this stage we are inviting applications from students and researchers from Masters to Postdoc level. To apply please use the 'apply' link on the workshop website<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yslr.c…>, where you will need to submit a brief (250 word) statement of interest. The application deadline is March 31, 2018, but please submit your application ASAP, as the maximum number of attendees is limited to 50. Applicants will be selected on the basis of the statement and, when equal, on a first-come-first-served basis. Please see the website for details on bookable accommodation. There is a small£10 registration fee for the workshop, to help cover catering costs. If you have any questions at all, please contact the organisers at workshop2018(a)yslr.co.uk<mailto:workshop2018@yslr.co.uk>. We look forward to hearing from you! [https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif] The YSLR workshop committee [cid:d8af7391-e33e-4ddc-9bdf-4c5cad21cc2e]

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