Internationally renowned social psychologist and philosopher of science to speak at URI KINGSTON, R.I. — February 26, 2001 — Georgetown University Professor H. Romano Harré, an internationally renowned social psychologist and philosopher of science, will speak at the University of Rhode Island on the topic of “Why take the ‘discursive turn’?” The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Monday, March 5 at 3:30 p.m. in the Hardge Forum in the Multicultural Center. A reception will follow. The lecture is sponsored by URI’s Visiting Scholars Committee, URI’s Psychology Department, and the URI Psi Chi Chapter. Harré is one of the pioneers of discursive psychology, a new theoretical approach to the analysis of psychological events. In his talk, he will compare the ideas and results of discursive psychology to traditional experimental psychology, behaviorism, and cognitive science. Discursive psychology views thinking and other psychological events as occurring in the matrix of communications among people, rather than inside individuals’ heads. It seeks to discover the rules and norms for such interactions. Harré’s experience in the field of psychology is quite extensive. He has held teaching positions at nine universities, including the University of Oxford and Georgetown University, and visiting professorships at numerous other universities. His professional interests are in the subjects of philosophy of science, language and thought, and the philosophy of psychology. He has published 31 books, and numerous journal articles and has lectured at about 200 universities, colleges, and research institutions. Harré was named a Swan Scholar in 1939. He was awarded the Auckland University Philosophy Prize; Senior Scholarship of University College, Oxford; and several honorary doctorates. He was a Shirtcliffe Travelling Bursary, Royden B. Davis professor of interdisciplinary studies, Georgetown University; president of the British Society for the Philosophy of Science; and honorary professor of psychology at the University of East London. Harré received bachelor’s degrees in mathematics from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and in philosophy from Oxford University, England. He earned his masters degree in philosophy from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and a master’s degree of art from Oxford University. He earned his doctorate in literature from Oxford University. For Information: Albert Silverstein, 401-727-2414, Jhodi Redlich, 401-874-2116, Jennifer Smith, 401-874-2116