Evolution and behaviour

7 December 2006

NWO will hold its annual programme day for the research programme Evolution and Behaviour on Monday 11 December 2006 in Utrecht. Biological psychologist Martha McClintock from the University of Chicago will give a lecture about the effect of human smells and pheromones on fertility, sexuality and emotions.

The research programme Evolution and Behaviour has yielded a total of seventeen research projects of outstanding scientific quality. Some of the projects are in the final phase and have produced interesting results. Various scientists from the programme will present their research during this day.

Pheromones

Keynote speaker Martha McClintock will give a lecture entitled 'Human scents and Pheromones: Effects on Fertility, Sexuality and Emotions'. Pheromones are specialised social chemosignals that regulate sexuality, emotions and fertility. Miniscule amounts exert their effects unconsciously. Body scents are consciously detectable as odours, and yet can also provide unconscious information such as genetic compatibility between people. Finally, there is a newly discovered type of chemosignal, vasanas. This is an odour at high concentrations and has unconscious effects at low concentrations. Each of these subtle unconscious signals may inform our social choices.

Why are we acting like we are?

Six researchers form the programme will give presentations about their research. For example, Serge Wich from Utrecht University will tell about his research into the social learning behaviour of orang-utans. The ageing of society, collective behavioural patterns and other inspiring topics are also on the programme.

Evolution and behaviour

The research programme Evolution and Behaviour aims to expand our understanding of the evolutionary basis of human behaviour. Additionally the programme aims to facilitate the application of evolutionary approaches in the social and behavioural sciences, at large. The programme intents to stimulate an active cooperation between scientists from the life sciences and the social and behavioural sciences.

The meeting will be held from 10.00 to 16.00 hours in Meeting Plaza, Utrecht. Everyone interested in the programme is cordially invited to attend. The entire programme is available at www.nwo.nl/evolutionandbehaviour< /A>. Via this link you can also register as a visitor.

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