The Discriminating Brain: How Our Wiring May Generate Adverse Experiences for Others.

Presented by Sean Sterling, Ph.D., ABPP

Program offers 1.0 CEs for Psychologists (APA) and 1.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs

Human neurobiology is tuned to behave differently toward out group (compared with in group) members in a variety of meaningful ways – leading to inequitable, often discriminatory, behaviors. Research on the subject robustly demonstrates physiological mechanisms that lead to varying attitudes and conduct toward divergent groups. This program will introduce participants to how innate reactions may cause us to immediately be afraid of others, but this fear can be overcome given sufficient resources (economic, emotional, cognitive) to strengthen our Theory of Mind.

This workshop will include an exploration of inequality and adverse childhood experiences. Discussion will focus on the separation of children from parents at the Mexican border, food insecurity among children in the United States, and the Rwandan genocide. Finally, while discriminatory behavior is a manifestation of fundamental mind/body processes, it is not inevitable. Strategies that promote cooperation among groups will be examined. The presentation will conclude by offering a model of cognitive and affective development associated with overcoming more primitive in-group out-group behavioral patterns.