SANS 2024

In 1936, Kurt Lewin developed his famous equation for predicting human behavior, arguing that behavior is the result of a function of the person in their environment. Nearly a century later, humans have seen rapid changes in nearly every aspect of that environment – most carry around what would have been a supercomputer fifteen years ago in their pocket, have daily contact with individuals that live hundreds or thousands of miles away, and can enter virtual realities or interact with artificial intelligences that are increasingly similar to the “real” thing. This same period, however, has also been marked by environmental instability – a once-in-a-generation mutating pandemic, the looming threat of climate catastrophe, and increasing political polarization which has isolated individuals from one another physically, psychologically, and ideologically.

As social and affective neuroscientists, we have a unique lens through which to examine how environmental factors both at the macro- (e.g., SES, climate risk, political identity) and micro-levels (e.g., individual differences in personality or developmental stage) interact with the person to explain or predict behavior. Recent technological and computing advancements have made social affective neuroscience research more accessible and also more feasible than ever before.

The overarching goal of SANS 2024 is thus to examine the person and their behavior as situated within their larger environment. We take a wide-ranging definition of environment, with a particular emphasis on research that addresses public health considerations and the global factors (e.g., climate, political discourse, economic shifts) that will shape the next century of studying human behavior.

The abstract submission portal for the 2024 conference of the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society will open in the fall.