Science Cafe

Title: Don’t Miss, Don’t Miss, D’oh! Why and when do you do the very thing you were trying to avoid?

Speaker: Dr Matthew Barlow, Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance, Bangor University.

Matthew would also like to acknowledge his colleagues Tim Woodman and Recep Gorgulu.

It sometimes appears that our attempts to control our thoughts and actions are met by an inordinate measure of failure. Whether we want to stop eating chocolate, not stand on our dancing partner’s foot, fall asleep quickly, escape a bad mood, or score a penalty during a football match we find ourselves faltering again and again. Psychologist Wegner explored whether ironically it is our own minds that compel the very errors we were specifically trying to avoid. I discuss the latest developments in this line of research – from the Institute for the Psychology of Elite performance at Bangor University – that examines what sorts of people are most prone to committing such ironic errors.

Entry is free – arrive early to get a seat!  A hearty bowl of soup, slice of Welsh Cheddar cheese and local bread is available for £5.

Presentation begins at 7.30pm prompt.