Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. Today I talk to Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich, Dr Robert Willson. In this illuminating conversation, we explore the origins of and misconceptions around Evolutionary Psychology. We look at the interaction between genetics and experience, especially with regard to human sexual behaviour and gender identity.

Please join me as we look at life through a different lens.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The way we evolved impacts how we behave, but it is far from the only factor to consider.
  • Our fight or flight system made sense during our evolution, but today it can prove to be counterproductive.

BEST MOMENTS

‘There are ways in which our mind is organized ways in which our mind works, that relate to our evolutionary history.’

‘Nature and nurture, is incredibly important.’

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr Rob Willson is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich. He joined the University in February 1998, having completed a 4-year Wellcome Trust Fellowship at the University of St. Andrews. Prior to that he had been an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow within the Department of Zoology at Oxford University, under the supervision of Prof.Sir John Krebs. Originally from Canada, Robert completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Prof. Don Wilkie, graduating in 1992, before he relocated to the UK.

Robert's original training was in Animal Cognition, doing behavioural research into learning and memory in non-human species, predominantly with a focus on spatial memory in pigeons and food-storing birds. Although Rob retains an interest in these areas, his research now focuses on a variety of issues across Evolutionary Psychology, Sport Psychology and Social Psychology.

He teaches various aspects of Biological Psychology and has a particular interest in Evolutionary Psychology and how an evolutionary perspective might be able to help understand some aspects of human behaviour.

SOCIALS

https://www.gre.ac.uk/people/rep/faculty-of-education-and-health/robert-willson

ABOUT THE HOST

Bio

Caroline Partridge is a unique and creative individual. She is an actress, puppeteer, educator, and artist with funny bones. She loves a story and is an expert at conveying wit and wisdom with warmth, understanding, and empathy.

CONTACT METHOD

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/caropartridge

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-partridge-03131520

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/partridge_caroline

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

This is a podcast series about discovery, understanding, revelation, and stories.

How we perceive the world is rooted in everything that has influenced us throughout our lives, emotionally and psychologically. We become the sum of our parts and each of us has our own unique view of the world. 'Vision' truly is an act of interpretation.

In this podcast series through fascinating conversations, I set about trying to understand how we form our perceptions, view different perspectives, and examine how perception has influenced, inspired, or hindered the lives of each of my unique guests.

This show was brought to you by Progressive Media