Extraordinary Variations of the Human Mind: Lessons for Anthropogeny
Co-sponsored by the Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA) and the Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind (KIBM)
The human mind is one of the features that makes our species unusual, and any narrative of our origins must include explanations for how our mental facilities were generated by genetic and cultural evolutionary processes. Comparative studies with the minds of other species and direct studies of how the typical human brain creates the mind are valuable approaches. However, many useful clues can also be gleaned from studying extraordinary variations of the human mind. This symposium brings together experts who have pursued in-depth explorations of some of these variations.
Event Sessions
Media for each talk can be played by clicking on icons in the "Media" column, or by clicking on the individual talk titles below and then the attachment file at the bottom of the page.
| Date | Media | Session Title | Speakers | Abstract | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 5/5 |
 |
Welcome | Fred Gage | Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium | |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
Our Brains: Life on a Continuum | Daniel Geschwind | Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium | |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
From Genes to Neural Circuits to Behavior & Back Again: Neurogenetic Mechanisms in Williams Syndrome | Karen Berman |
Individuals with Williams syndrome, a fascinating and rare neurogenetic, developmental condition, have only one copy of approximately 25 genes on chromosome 7, instead of the typical, expected two... more |
Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
Language at the Extremes | Simon Fisher |
The rise of molecular technologies yields exciting new routes for studying the biological foundations of human traits. In particular, researchers have begun to identify genes implicated in unusual... more |
Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory | James McGaugh |
Recent research has identified individuals who have exceptionally strong memories of personal experiences and public events. They are able to recall their activities for most of the days of their... more |
Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
The Incredible Savant Syndrome | Darold Treffert |
Savant Syndrome is a rare but remarkable condition in which persons with some underlying brain condition, often but not always autism, have some extraordinary islands of ability which stand in... more |
Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
Acquired Savantism in Neurological Conditions | Bruce Miller |
Visual artistic creativity has been a continual component of human life from the earliest days. Patients with neurodegenerative disease have shown both increased and novel artistic creativity in... more |
Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
Born to be Musical: What We can Learn from Congenital Anomalies | Isabelle Peretz |
Congenital anomalies provide a natural experiment—a rare chance to examine the biological basis of musicality by tracing causal links between genes, environment, brain, and behavior. Significant... more |
Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
Fragments of Genius: Mapping the Mind of a Musical Savant | Adam Ockelford |
This talk summarizes the findings from a series of experiments undertaken over a number of years with the prodigious musical savant Derek Paravicini. These sought to map his perceptual and... more |
Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
Synaesthesia: From Extraordinary Experiences to Enhanced Abilities | Jamie Ward |
People with synaesthesia experience the ordinary world in extraordinary ways: words may have tastes, and music is an audio-visual spectacle. Everybody knows someone with synaesthesia (it affects a... more |
Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
| Fri 5/5 |
|
Question and Answer Session, Closing Remarks | Daniel Geschwind, Isabelle Peretz, All Speakers | Salk Institute - Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium |
Event Glossary
A glossary for this event is available as a Searchable List and a 
PDF.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Drop off Directions_Map_CARTA May 2017.pdf | 1.44 MB |
| Public Parking_Directions CARTA May 2017.pdf | 1.66 MB |
| Abstracts CARTA May 2017 public symposium.pdf | 140.72 KB |
| Bios_CARTA May2017_public symposium.pdf | 153.2 KB |
