Chatbot Thinking: How Language Does (Not) Help Us Think

19 November, 18:30, Hörsaal 1

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jutta L. Mueller is Professor of Psycholinguistics at the Department of Linguistics (Faculty of Philological and Cultural Studies). She is Vice-Director of Studies "Psychology, Cognition, Behaviour, and Neuroscience Directorate of Doctoral Studies" and heads the Psycholinguistics Lab Babelfisch.

Teaser: New language-based technologies are on the verge to deeply change the way how we converse with each other and potentially with ourselves. In my talk I will explain the varieties and significance of the conversations we silently have with ourselves and how these may influence our thoughts, actions and feelings. I will expand on potential benefits of inner speech for self-control and emotion regulation, for perception, problem solving and for generating new ideas. Yet, our internal chatbot does not come without risks and can also cause emotional trouble and lead us astray. I will argue that inner speech is comparable to overt social speech in many respects and that we can foster both our emotional well-being and our cognitive capacities if we take good care of both.

Neurodivergent Thinking: Addressing Myths and Misconceptions about Autism

3 December, 18:30, Hörsaal 1

Assoz. Prof. Dr. Giorgia Silani is Deputy Head of the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology (Faculty of Psychology) and heads the Clinical Social Neuroscience Unit.

Alice Laciny, PhD is a Fellow at the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI). Her postdoc work focusses on the influence of parasites on the morphology of ant hosts. Her current project at the KLI aims to review the body of current literature on this topic and highlight the overlapping aspects of ecology, evolution and ontogenetic development therein.

Teaser: This talk will explore how scientific research can dismantle common
stereotypes about autism, fostering a more accurate and inclusive
understanding of the condition. By highlighting key findings in
neuroscience and psychology, we will challenge outdated notions that
paint autism as a homogeneous disorder defined solely by deficits.
Instead, we will emphasize the diversity within the autism spectrum,
focusing on strengths, individual variability, and the importance of
neurodiversity. The talk aims to encourage the application of scientific
insights to promote acceptance, reduce stigma, and improve support for
autistic individuals in society.

Political Thinking: What Role Do Emotions Play in Politics?

17 December, 18:30, Hörsaal 1

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Sophie Lecheler is Professor of Communication Science with a focus on Political Communication at the Department of Communication.

Cultural Thinking: Why Are Movies Getting Dumber?

7 January, 18:30, Hörsaal 1

Dr. Mauricio Martins is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology (SCAN-Unit). His work focuses on the cognitive and cultural mechanisms underlying the representation of hierarchies, and the processes involved in the acquisition of those representations.

Urban Thinking: How Does Aesthetics in Urban Planning Influence Our Thinking?

21 January 2025, 18:30, Hörsaal 1

Dr. Jan Mikuni is a postdoctoral researcher in the WWTF-funded project "Urban Intervention with Art in Public Space".

Teaser: In recent years, science has suggested that aesthetic experience could promote well-being. This lecture discusses how aesthetics and people's aesthetic experiences in urban environments could inform, shape, and help urban planning to make cities attractive and healthy places to live.

Future Thinking: An Introduction

8 October, 18:30, Hörsaal 1

Schedule:

• Introductory words by Helmut Leder
• Introduction to Future Thinking by Moritz Grosse-Wentrup
• Discussion about Future Thinking with Elisabeth Oberzaucher (additional speakers tbc)

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Helmut Leder is Professor of Empirical Aesthetics and Speaker of the Vienna CogSciHub.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. -Ing. Moritz Grosse-Wentrup is Professor of Neuroinformatics and Member of the Vienna CogSciHub Management Board.

Dr. Elisabeth Oberzaucher is a biologist and evolutionary psychologist, scientific director of Urban Human, and member of the Science Busters. Her research focuses on human behavior and cognition.