NPSA Congress – Chicago 2016

This program provides 18 credit hours for
physicians, psychologists, and social workers.
See the Programme page for more details.

OTHER MINDS

Keynote talks, research sessions and symposia on the theme as well as on
a variety of other neuropsychoanalytic topics

The mind includes representations of self and other, and self as other. Freud called the self-as-other the superego; later theorists spoke of an inner world, while contemporary theorists speak of an intersubjective field. Making distinctions between what arises from within and without is a difficult task and a lifelong developmental achievement. What light can modern neuroscience cast on these topics?

Speakers include Jennifer Bartz, Dietmar Dietrich, Ruth Feldman, Jaak Panksepp, David Terman, Oliver Turnbull and Douglas Watt.  Mark Solms will give his memorable closing statements.

Philosophers question whether it is possible to know other minds. The discovery of mirror neurons suggests otherwise. The phenomenon of empathy and theory-of-mind have also received intensive neuroscientific attention. What are the implications of this research for psychoanalysis – and for the concept of countertransference, in particular?

Psychoanalysts have always been interested in group psychology. Today this field has widened considerably, and encompasses the whole of social neuroscience. Of special interest is the topic of ‘in’ and ‘out’ groups: ‘us’ versus ‘them’. What new light can we shed on such topics?

The topic of ‘Other Minds’ also raises the vexed question of non-human minds … and even of non-biological minds. What distinguishes animal from human minds, and natural from artificial ones? All of these issues, and the links between them, will be the focus of the 17th International Neuropsychoanalysis Congress in Chicago.

The Educational Day: This is a pre-conference meeting with several introductory lectures in neuroscience and psychoanalysis on topics of relevance to the theme.  They are comprehensive lectures that are often of great interest even to those with some knowledge of the topic.  It will take place from 9:00 am until mid-afternoon on Thursday July 7.

The Congress: It will start late afternoon of Thursday July 7 and end late afternoon of Saturday July 9.

Meet and Greet:  Greet old friends and new colleagues on Wednesday evening before the conference!  We will gather in the park directly across the from the venue for 6-7, and you are welcome to grab friends and stroll to the nearby food festival in the park.  Congress registrants will receive more details by email.

The Post-Congress meeting: This successful formula of re-visiting congress material and sharing thoughts will last around 2 hours on Sunday morning, July 10.  Location to be announced at the meeting.

The Debate: Following the success of our Oxford-style debates, we will hold one in Chicago on the topic Is altruism innate? Click here for the programme of the Debate.

Chicago: On Lake Michigan in Illinois, Chicago is among the largest cities in the U.S. Famed for its bold architecture, it has a skyline bristling with skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, sleek, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower and neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute and its vast collections, notably its Impressionist works.

The Taste of Chicago – the world’s largest free food festival – will run from July 6th through 10th in Grant Park.  With nearly 70 local food vendors in tow, taste-goers will be able to sample a wide range of dishes and flavors to suit every palate! 20 of this year’s vendors are brand new to the festival.  And there are lots of activities, concerts, etc…

Venue: we are very lucky to be holding our meeting in the beautiful  VenueSIX10 complex at the Spertus Institute on South Michigan Avenue; the building is 100% powered by renewable energy, its views magnificent, its glass frontage striking and its interior spaces simply stunning.

Optional Dinner: on Friday 8 July in the beautiful historic Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room at the wonderful Art Institute of Chicago mentioned above.

Accreditation: The meeting provides 18 CMEs for physicians, psychologists, and social workers.  Click here for more details.

The Call for Papers is now closed.

Registration:  There are discounts for booking early as well as for registering for both the Educational Day & the Congress.  Click on items in “Event Resources” menu in the upper right hand corner to see details about lodging and abstract submissions, and to get to the registration page to see fees.  Early bird discounts are still available for a few more days!  To register now, click here.

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