The Department of Psychology is pleased to invite Professor Birte U. Forstmann from the University of Amsterdam and Professor Steven Miletić from Leiden University for a special lecture session on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. The event will feature two talks followed by individual Q&A sessions. All are welcome to attend!

Lecture 1: Joint Modeling of the Deep Brain’s Form and Function

• Speaker: Professor Birte U. Forstmann

• Time: February 26, 2025 (Wednesday), 13:10 – 14:00 (including Q&A)

• Venue: Lecture Hall, 2nd Floor, North Wing, College of Social Sciences, NCKU

• Language: English

• Abstract:
  The subcortex plays a crucial role in cognitive processes and is one of the earliest-affected regions in nearly all neurodegenerative diseases. However, human neuroscience has historically been dominated by a cortico-centric perspective, leaving the Deep Brain relatively uncharted. Studying the subcortex using non-invasive MRI is challenging due to its small, numerous, and structurally complex nuclei, many of which remain poorly characterized, even with advanced imaging techniques.

  This talk will highlight how my research shifts the focus from a cortico-centric view to a whole-brain perspective on cognition in both health and disease. I will discuss past, present, and future advancements in mapping the deep brain, including how multi-modal post-mortem data can enhance in-vivo imaging. Additionally, I will introduce a novel Bayesian joint modeling approach that explores cortico-subcortical loops in adaptive decision-making. Finally, I will discuss how integrating these methodologies will contribute to a comprehensive whole-brain model of cognition in the human brain.

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Lecture 2: Explaining Multi-Scale Choice Dynamics

• Speaker: Professor Steven Miletić

• Time: February 26, 2025 (Wednesday), 14:10 – 15:00 (including Q&A)

• Venue: Lecture Hall, 2nd Floor, North Wing, College of Social Sciences, NCKU

• Language: English

• Abstract:
  Traditional decision-making research often relies on highly controlled experiments where the environment remains mostly stationary. However, real-world decision-making occurs in dynamic, ever-changing environments, requiring continuous behavioral adaptation.

  This talk explores how adaptive mechanisms systematically influence fluctuations in choice performance across trials—even in seemingly stable conditions. Through a series of experiments and computational models, I will show how integrating adaptive mechanisms into evidence-accumulation models helps explain not just how decision-making changes over time, but also why it changes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for uncovering the fundamental principles of human choice behavior.

We look forward to your participation!