Title
Dynamics on a Human Scale
Speaker
Daniel Kaplan, Macalester College
Abstract
Nonlinear dynamics, a.k.a. "Chaos Theory," has been used successfully to cast light on a wide range of complex systems, from the beating of heart cells to global weather, where traditional linear approaches have not provided much insight. Extending the success of the nonlinear approach to a middle scale, the physiology and psychology of humans, has been more difficult. I'll discuss some of the attempts to use dynamics to characterize heart rate variability and some of the reasons why simple linear analysis may often be the best way to study the nonlinear phenomena of physiology and psychology.
Meet the speaker in Room 212 Cockins Hall at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Dr. Kaplan is the eighth annual Robert Wherry Lecturer. This speaker series focuses on methodological issues in psychological research and honors Robert Wherry, former Psychology Department Chair and prominent researcher in quantitative and industrial/organizational psychology. The current lecture is sponsored by the Robert Wherry Development Fund, the Department of Psychology and the Department of Statistics.
