RCGD Fall Seminar Series: The Science of Social Relationships

Humans are social animals and from the earliest days of life, are dependent on the quality of social relationships with significant others: family, kin, friends, and a growing social network of online acquaintances. But, how do we conduct research and come to understand the social processes transpiring in these significant social connections with others? What are the consequences for individual development and mental health outcomes of having close intimate relationships in one’s life? There is also a darker side to some relationships in the form of violence, aggression, and conflict. How do we study these processes? Social media and artificial intelligence have opened up new ways of thinking about “what is a social relationship?” and how many of these “friends” can one truly have.

The speakers for this series will focus on different types of social relationships, spanning family and parent-child relationships, friendships, peer networks, romantic relationships, attachment relationships, and the use of online media to maintain social connections. Although several speakers are senior scholars with extensive research backgrounds in the field, many are junior scholars who are traversing new paths into the science of social relationships. Please join us Mondays to learn more about the exciting field of social relationships!

On Aug. 25, Richard Gonzalez and Brenda Volling will touch base on RCGD business and introduce the fall 2025 series at this kick-off event.

These events will be held Mondays from 3:30 to 5.
In person: ISR Thompson 1430
Organized by Brenda Volling and Richard Gonzalez.

As permissions allow, seminars are later posted to our YouTube playlist.