Half a century of research has shown that exclusively cognitive or rational models of man fail to explain human behaviour. The realization that the important role of emotion in individual behaviour and social interaction requires intensive interdisciplinary research has led to the emergence of a new field: Affective Sciences.

The Swiss Center for Affective Sciences and the Collegium Helveticum will meet with U.S. institutions and companies at swissnex on April 6 & 7 2006 to debate this fascinating topic, present their research and discuss applications and implications with the industry.


Day 1: Virtual Emotions in Human-Computer Interfaces – April 6, all day

How an interdisciplinary approach to the study of emotions can benefit our understanding of virtual emotions in fields such as engineering, computer gaming, design, artificial voice communciations and the visual and performing arts.

Session 1: Contributions from Affective Science
Session 2: Contributions from Face Science
Session 3 (lunch): Artificial Emotions: Promises & Risks
Session 4: Contributions from Voice
Session 5: Toward Multimodal Models of Emotion Expression

Eve 1: Emotion & Theater Art - April 6, 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Interactive art & science program on emotion, bodily and facial expression. Demonstration and cocktail reception.


Day 2: The Neural Architecture of Emotion, Emotional Disturbance & Pain – April 7, all day

How does recent affective neuroscience research impact on the understanding and treatment of emotional disturbance? What are the emotional responses to pain? What are the links between emotional processes in the brain and psychopathology?

Session 1: Neural Architecture of Emotion in Perception and Decision-Making
Session 2: From the Emotional Brain to Psychopathology – Contributions from the Investigation of Depression and Anxiety
Session 3 (lunch): Functional and Dysfunctional Emotional Brain
Session 4: Behavioral and Neural Correlates of Pain
Session 5: General Discussion on the perspectives for the NCCR Affective Sciences and the Collegium Helveticum

Eve 2: Emotions in Music - April 7, 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Interactive art & science program on music and emotion – performance pieces & cocktail reception.