The Science of Secrecy

The Science of Secrecy

Why do we keep secrets? Are secrets bad for us? To whom do we tell our secrets? What happens when we reveal a secret? These are only some of the questions that psychologists are answering on the topic of secrecy. The current state of the science suggests that secrecy has a negative psychological impact – but can sometimes be positive; that confiding secrets hurts other people – but can also help them; and that revealing a secret can have bad outcomes – but also good ones. Join us at the Kenneth Myer Auditorium, Melbourne Brain Centre as we explore the contradictions in research on secrets and unveil the new science of secrecy.

About the speaker
Michael Slepian is an Associate Professor at Columbia University. A recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science, he is the leading expert on the psychology of secrets. Slepian has authored more than fifty articles on secrecy, truth, and deception. He is also author of the popular psychology book The Secret Life of Secrets. Slepian’s research has been covered by The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, and more.

Host or Publisher Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences