Evening Lecture with Dr. Kenichi Ito
Event details:
Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
Location: Bunka Centre – Large Room
Capacity: Max 40 people
Admission: Free
Registration: Reserve your seat here: https://www.showpass.com/international-psychology-day-with-dr-ken-ito-uofl-dept-of-psychology
International Psychology Day – Special Evening Lecture
Guest Speaker: Dr. Ken Ito (University of Lethbridge)
Why Do Insects Affect Our Environmental Choices?
Entomophobia and Composting Behaviour
Why do some people avoid composting—even when they care about the environment? This talk explores how fear and disgust toward insects can shape our attitudes and decisions. Dr. Ito will share insights from local research in Lethbridge and discuss how changing our emotional responses could help increase participation in eco-friendly programs.
How Culture Shapes the Brain and Recycling Habits
Holism, Self-Identity, and Neural Responses
Did you know your thinking style and sense of self can influence how your brain reacts to recycling? Using brain imaging technology, this research reveals how different mindsets affect emotional and social responses to environmental behaviour—and what that means for promoting sustainability.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Ken Ito was born and raised near Tokyo, Japan. After completing high school, he moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he earned his BA (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg. He later completed both his MSc and Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Alberta.
Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Ito worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Singapore for one year before joining Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, where he served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology for nine years.
During the COVID-19 period, Dr. Ito moved to Canada and joined the University of Lethbridge, where he is currently a faculty member in the Department of Psychology.
Dr. Ito’s research focuses on cultural psychology, particularly differences in emotion, pro-environmental behavior, consumer behavior, and thinking styles across cultures.
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking evening connecting psychology, culture, and environmental action!