Broken Brains

There are detailed descriptions of the origins of man showing how humans evolved from animals. It is perhaps surprising then, that people don’t like to be reminded of their animal origins. Such reminders may well elicit a disgust response. The emotion of disgust is handled by some specific brain circuits and the functioning of these circuits breaks down in some disorders including Huntington’s and Tourette’s.

Our sense of disgust also underlies the use of expletives, and the brain mechanisms driving this can be inappropriately activated in some neurological conditions with dramatic effect. This talk by Dr Ian Mitchell,  Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology, explores these relationships and go onto look at how our disgust sensitivity can affect our social and political views.

This event is presented by University of Birmingham as part of Library of Birmingham's Origins Season. On the last Wednesday of the month between January and April 2015, University of Birmingham academics will deliver a series of lunchtime lectures exploring origins from wide-ranging research perspectives.

Venue: Library of Birmingham, Heritage Learning Space, Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2ND