Annual Conference - Psychology of Pleasure*

Description

Every year OUPS holds an applied psychology conference, inviting top psychologists to talk on a specific area of psychology to give delegates the opportunity to hear experts in the field present up to date research on a specific area of psychology and to provide a forum for informed discussion. 2024 is particularly significant as we will also be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of OUPS!!

Our 2024 conference will be on ‘Psychology of Pleasure’.

Psychology is sometimes criticized for concentrating too much on human misery, so what better theme for a 50th birthday conference than ‘pleasure’?

The quest for pleasure seems to be at centre-stage for much of our lives and our explanations of why we pursue our particular goals. Personal accounts of our goals to seek pleasure are a source of valuable insight. However, from Freud to modern-day neuroscience, psychologists have argued for the limitations of pleasure as an explanation of our behaviour. The conference will give an in-depth look at evidence that we are sometimes motivated by factors other than the quest for conscious pleasure. It will look at the brain processes underlying pleasure and the relevance of the expression ‘wanting versus liking’, and the observation that wants can override all else. We will examine why the quest for pleasure, e.g. that for material goods, can be elusive. The relevance of pleasure in sexual behaviour, the work environment, clinical and counselling psychology will be examined.

Speakers

The following is a list of speakers for the conference:

Frederick Toates:  Introduction

Jim Handley: The pleasure of work

Neil Frude: The future of pleasure (The Graham Mitchell Memorial Lecture)

Marlene Werner: Sexual pleasure

Paul Gilbert and Hannah Gilbert: Compassion focussed therapy and pleasure

Morten Kringelbach: Pleasure and the brain

Lance Workman: The evolution of pleasure

What to expect

The lectures are conducted in management conference seminar rooms within the University campus, and you will be provided with a timetable of talks and abstracts before you arrive. Registration is from 3pm on Friday, dinner from 6pm and the Friday evening lecture at 8pm. The conference finishes at 3pm on Sunday.

You can choose how you spend your time. If you book the residential package then you will have a very comfortable ensuite room in management conference facilities complete with bedding, towels, a hairdryer, coffee-making facilities and desk. Wifi is also included. The training centre has a small exercise room within the building and you also have complimentary access to the  gym and pool on campus, so if you do want to relax then there is the option to do so.

The cost is inclusive of all meals, including Friday night and Saturday night dinner. There are no extra costs involved (except for drinks at the bar!). As well as your room and all meals this includes refreshments at break times, handouts which are only available to attendees, welcome drink on Friday night. Non-residential places are also available, please contact us for details if you would like this option.

The welcome drinks and psychology book stall are both excellent places to meet other students. All students and staff wear name badges, so it is easy to find somebody to help if you have any questions. You can enjoy your meals with a group of delegates in the comfortable dining room. The food is fresh, healthy buffet style catering, and there is something to entice everyone.

Finally, whilst most students leave exhausted from the learning and socialising, they comment that it is such a worthwhile weekend, and we see many of them each year as they progress their studies and also after graduating!

Venue

The weekend takes place at Radcliffe Conference and Training Centre, University of Warwick. Both accommodation and lectures are located in the same building unless you have been informed otherwise.

Warwick is an award winning conference venue with excellent facilities. Access to the sports facilities, including the swimming pool, are included in the price. The university's central location with excellent transport links makes it easily accessible from all over the UK and Europe. There is ample free car parking.

Accessibility

Click here for information on accessibility, parking and other related facilities.

Travel and directions

Click here for satnav postcodes and directions to the University of Warwick.

For campus maps go to Warwick Campus Maps.