Please distribute this announcement to anyone who might be interested.
You are hereby invited to the second seminar in
our new interdisciplinary series on
<http://ecco.vub.ac.be>Evolution, Complexity and
Cognition (ECCO):
Characteristics and Problems of the Gifted:
neural propagation depth and flow motivation as a
model of intelligence and creativity
<http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html>Francis Heylighen
(ECCO/CLEA, VUB)
Abstract:
Giftedness, the potential for exceptional
achievement, is characterized by high
intelligence and creativity. Gifted people
exhibit a complex of cognitive, perceptual,
emotional, motivational and social traits.
Extending neurophysiological hypotheses about the
general intelligence (g) factor, a construct is
proposed to explain these traits: neural
propagation depth. The hypothesis is that in more
intelligent brains, activation propagates
farther, reaching less directly associated
concepts. This facilitates problem-solving,
reasoning, divergent thinking and the discovery
of connections. It also explains rapid learning,
perceptual and emotional sensitivity, and vivid
imagination. Flow motivation is defined as the
universal desire to balance skills and
challenges. Gifted people, being more cognitively
skilled, will seek out more difficult challenges.
This explains their ambition, curiosity and
perfectionism. Balance is difficult to achieve in
interaction with non-gifted peers, though,
explaining the gifted's autonomy, non-conformism
and feeling of alienation. Together with the
difficulty to find fitting challenges this
constitutes a major obstacle to realizing the
gifted's potential.
Full paper: http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Papers/GiftednessModel.pdf
When?
This Wednesday 17th January, 2 -4 pm.
Where?
The seminar room is B 0.036 (building B, level 0,
close to the human sciences computer rooms), on
the VUB Campus Etterbeek. Coffee and drinks are
available. Free entrance: everybody welcome!
Seminar Program for the coming weeks:
THURSDAY 25th January
(all other seminars are on Wednesday! This
seminar replaces the one by Helen de Cruz
originally scheduled on Wed. Jan 24)
Jan Bernheim, A Progressive Evolutionary Worldview.
31th January
Clément Vidal, Worldview Construction as a Philosophical Method.
7th February
Mixel Kiemen, Complex-Adaptive information processing.
14th February
Wim Christiaens, Apostel's concept of causality:
defining Being by folding "logic" on "life".
21th February
Dirk Kenis, Knowledge Management in Virtual
Communities: opportunities for Agile Group
Decision Support Systems (GDSS)
28th February
Erden Goktepe, Mediating International Agents: The Question of Efficiency.
Future speakers :
Karin Verelst, Helen de Cruz, Arnold De Loof, Mehmet Tezcan, Klaas Chielens.
More info about the ECCO seminars:
http://pcp.vub.ac.be:8000/ECCO-web/11
Regards,
Clément Vidal.
_________________________________
http://clement.vidal.philosophons.com
Evolution, Complexity and Cognition research group,
Free University of Brussels.
Krijgskundestraat 33. B-1160 Brussels, Belgium.
+32 (0) 2 640 67 37
