Bruce Hood (psychologist)
Encyclopedia
Bruce Hood is a Canadian-born experimental psychologist
who specialises in developmental cognitive neuroscience and is Director of the Bristol Cognitive Development Centre, based at Bristol University.
He is well known for his ideas on humans
being hard-wired for religion
and the science of superstitions.
His undergraduate studies were in psychology and is recipient of an MA
and an MPhil from the University of Dundee. He received his PhD
from Cambridge University in 1991, on the visual development of infants.
After moving to the U.S. he took a place as a visiting professor at MIT and as an associate professor at Harvard University
.
He has been awarded a Sloan Fellowship in neuroscience, the Robert L Fantz prize, the International Society for Infant Studies Young Investigator award and elected to fellow status of the American Psychological Association.
In 2011 Bruce will deliver the famous Royal Institution
Christmas Lectures
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
who specialises in developmental cognitive neuroscience and is Director of the Bristol Cognitive Development Centre, based at Bristol University.
He is well known for his ideas on humans
Human condition
The human condition encompasses the experiences of being human in a social, cultural, and personal context. It can be described as the irreducible part of humanity that is inherent and not connected to gender, race, class, etc. — a search for purpose, sense of curiosity, the inevitability of...
being hard-wired for religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
and the science of superstitions.
His undergraduate studies were in psychology and is recipient of an MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
and an MPhil from the University of Dundee. He received his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from Cambridge University in 1991, on the visual development of infants.
After moving to the U.S. he took a place as a visiting professor at MIT and as an associate professor at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
He has been awarded a Sloan Fellowship in neuroscience, the Robert L Fantz prize, the International Society for Infant Studies Young Investigator award and elected to fellow status of the American Psychological Association.
In 2011 Bruce will deliver the famous Royal Institution
Royal Institution
The Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London.-Overview:...
Christmas Lectures
Publications
- The Origins of Object Knowledge (with Laurie R. Santos), Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
(19 Mar 2009) ISBN 978-0199216895 (paperback) - Supersense: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable, HarperOne (April 2009) ISBN 978-0061452642
- Supersense: From Superstition to Religion - The Brain Science of Belief, Constable (May 2009) ISBN 978-1849010306 (paperback)