RCGD Seminar Series: Winter 2015 BioSocial Methods Monday, April 6, 3:30-5:00 PM Rm 1430 ISR, 426 Thompson St http://biosocialmethods.isr.umich.edu/rcgd-seminar-series-winter-2015 Mapping Mindsets: Connecting Culture, Brain, and Genes Shinobu Kitayama Dr. Kitayama is currently Robert B. Zajonc Collegiate Professor of Psychology and Research Professor at the Research Center for Group Dynamics. His research focuses on cultural psychology and cultural neuroscience. Cultural psychology of the last two decades has drawn a macroscopic view of variation in self, cognition, emotion, and motivation across different cultural groups, focusing largely on individuals with European heritage and those with Asian heritage. More recently, researchers have extended this work by exploring1) evolutionary and historical origins of the large-scale psychological variation that is observed today, 2) brain instantiation of this variation, and 3) involvement of both genetic and epigenetic processes in shaping the culturally variable mindset. In the present talk I will give an overview of this emergent area of research, with a focus on our work that addresses cultural variation in brain processes, broad eco-geographical origins of this variation, and likely participation of dopamine-system genes in shaping this variation. The Group Dynamics Seminar series is one of the longest running seminars in the social sciences. The original intent was for RCGD senior staff to meet together weekly to maintain an integrated theoretical approach to the various research projects underway and to advance theoretical thinking in several areas. Today the seminar series is open to the entire University community and continues to provide an opportunity for researchers, scholars, staff, and students to meet and learn about new theoretical developments as well as ongoing research activities. •