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PSYCHOLOGY

The Future of Human Communication

TERM 3: FOCUS ON CN307

Tuesdays  

Martin Kelly

This course will offer participants an opportunity to situate themselves in the constantly evolving world of communication. Working from a foundation in complexity theory and forecasting methods, we will explore the dynamics of modern communication forms – from the smart phone to social media platforms such as facebook and linked.in, and assess their psychological impact upon both our personal and working lives. Here, we will mainly draw upon humanistic psychology to inform our analysis – referring to figures such as Abraham Maslow, Victor Frankl, and Carl Rogers, and alluding to concepts underpinning the notions of subjective consciousness and human creativity.

From here, we will project ourselves into the unfolding 21^st century and envisage how exponential growth in nanotechnology and artificial intelligence will influence our notions of self-identity, relationships, and group membership. Again, we will refer to humanistic psychology for guidance, but also to cognitive psychology, particularly the areas of problem solving, memory, concept formation and information processing. Central topics will include computer literacy, virtual reality, and human interaction with virtual assistants and robots. Finally, drawing upon the fields of nanomedicine and gene therapy, we will explore the potential effects of possible radical life extension, particularly upon inter-generational communication. Throughout the course, core ideas and approaches will be grounded in relevant and practical exercises.

Tutor Details:

Martin Kelly holds an MA in Clinical Psychology from UCD and is currently completing a D.Ed in Education at Trinity College. He has worked with the Adult Education Centre since 1998 and currently presents courses in stress management and interpersonal communication. Martin works as a psychologist in private practice, in secondary schools in the Wicklow/Wexford area, and as a research consultant. His areas of interest are complexity theory, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence, emotional learning, creativity, and psychoneuroimmunology.

Provisional list of key topics to be covered:

• Introduction to Complexity Theory and forecasting methods.
• Historical sketch of communication technology and social change.
• Moore’s Law.
• Cognitive Psychology: problem solving, concept formation, memory.
• Humanistic Psychology: self-concept, subjective consciousness.
• Modern communication forms: smart technology, internet, social media platforms – facebook, linked-in.
• Virtual Reality and Virtual Assistants.
• Artificial Intelligence and modern robotics.
• The Turing’s Test.
• Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine.
• Gene Replacement Therapy.
• Radical Life Extension.

Who is the course for?

At a general level, this course is for those individuals who have an interest in the increasing impact of scientific applications upon the workings of society and the emerging role of modern communication technologies in human relationships. More specifically, it may be of interest to those working in an educational capacity, or in areas of increasing computerisation.

Reading List:

The following  is a selection of recommended texts for those interested in reading further around the course content.  We advise that you do not buy books in advance of the course as your tutor will discuss the list and suggest the most relevant reading for particular interests. 

Huxley, A. (1955): Brave New World. Bantam Books.

Williams, L. & Adams. W. (2006): Nanotechnology Demystified. McGraw-Hill Professional.

Boysen, Earl et al. (2011): Nanotechnology For Dummies. Wiley Publishing.

Kurzweil, Ray. (2000): The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence. Penguin Books.

Kurzweil, Ray. (2000):The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology. Penguin Books.

Scientific American (2002): Understanding Artificial Intelligence (Science Made Accessible). Grand Central Publishing.

Skinner, B.F. (1984): Walden TWO. Monarch Notes.  (available through amazon.com)

DeVito, Joseph, A. (2000): Human Communication: The Basic Course (8^th Ed). New York: Harper Collins Publishers Inc.  (available from the College bookshop UCD)