From Romeo and Juliet to Brangelina, people the world over have long been fascinated with the notion of what it is to be ‘a couple.’
And by the sheer volume of relationship guides filling shelf upon shelf at Chapters and other fine bookstores, it’s plain to see the science of couples is very much top of mind in Canadian homes, as well.
With the primary objective of taking a comprehensive and interdisciplinary look at how couples function, the Department of Psychology at The University of Western Ontario is hosting the 12th Ontario Symposium Aug. 21-22.
The symposium represents an important meeting for academics to participate in dialogue to extend and enhance theory, generate new research ideas and collaborations, and define a research agenda for the field in the future.
“Across the world, across time, people fall in love and form committed relationships,” says professor Lorne Campbell, who specializes in romantic relationships and is also one of the symposium’s organizers. “These relationships have a significant impact on our psychological and physical well-being.
“A primary goal of the upcoming symposium is to develop a more in-depth understanding of the importance of romantic relationships in people’s lives, providing more insight into a core element of human existence.”
A total of 13 internationally renowned speakers – covering social, personality, neurobiology, health, and clinical perspectives on the couple – will present at the symposium, which is free to the public and will be held in Room 117, North Campus Building.