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This lecture will focus on the issue of transgenerational inheritance, meaning the potential transmission of the effects of difficult experiences—such as war, violence, or migration—from one generation to the next. In an accessible way, we will explain what epigenetics is and what mechanisms could theoretically enable the biological inheritance of trauma. We will also present what contemporary psychology says on the subject and what social and cultural studies reveal. We will consider where science ends and oversimplifications begin—clarifying popular but often misleading narratives found in the media and public discourse. The lecture will offer an opportunity to explore this complex topic from multiple perspectives—in a thorough yet understandable way for those without specialized training.
In recent years, an increasing number of studies have suggested that microbiota—the collection of microorganisms inhabiting, among others, our intestines—may play a significant role not only in physical health but also in emotional and cognitive development. During the lecture, we will explore how microbiota forms from birth, the importance of factors such as childbirth, diet, antibiotics, and lifestyle, and how these early experiences may influence brain and nervous system function. We will discuss what we currently know about the so-called gut–brain axis and how microbiota may be linked to emotion regulation, stress response, and even the development of social and cognitive skills. We will also consider which claims are solidly supported by science and which require cautious interpretation. The lecture is intended for those interested in the connections between body and mind in the context of human development.
Wojciech Łukasz Dragan – professor of social sciences, psychologist, and specialist in research on temperament, individual differences, and the biological and environmental determinants of behavior. He works at the Institute of Psychology at Jagiellonian University. Author of numerous scientific publications and a popularizer of psychological knowledge—he runs a popular science blog on Facebook and regularly appears in public. He is the Chair of the Committee on Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) and a member of the PAN Council for the Dissemination of Science. He has received numerous awards for his scientific activity (including the Teofrast Award, a Fulbright Scholarship, and the President of PAN Award).
