From Skulls to Scans: How Brain Measurements Have Been Used, Misused, and Misunderstood in the Study of Racial Differences

4:30 pm, Penn Museum Nevil Classroom

The Morton Collection, housed at the Penn Museum, was used to test theories of racial differences in the 19th century. Debate surrounding Samuel Morton’s measurements and their interpretation was revived in the 20th century by Stephen Jay Gould and again in the 21st century by Penn anthropologists. Meanwhile, in the new era of brain imaging, scientists continue to investigate brain differences between groups of people, including racial groups. What has changed, and what has stayed the same? What have we learned? What assumptions about people, brains, and race are implicit in this research? Brief scientific presentations by: Janet Monge, Penn Museum, and Geoffrey Aguirre, Penn Department of Neurology. Commentary by: Dorothy Roberts, Penn Law School. This free program is sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Center for Neuroethics and Society.