Newsletter No. 476

2 476 • 19.4.2016 特寫 Feature 結合中港台優勢 揭社會研究新章 Cross-strait Synergies in Social Sciences 中文大學於去年底分別與中國科學院（中科院）及 台灣國立成功大學（成大）合作，成立了中大－中 科院心理研究所生物社會心理學聯合實驗室及正 向社會科學聯合研究中心，開闢社會科學研究的 新路向。 先天勝後天? Nature over Nurture? 「愈 來愈多的研究顯示，除成長和生活環境外，人的行 為和心理亦會受生物因素影響，如遺傳基因，或是 母親懷孕期間受到感染。」兼任生物社會心理學聯合實驗室 主任的中大心理學系系主任 梁永亮 教授說。 「舉例說，研究證實基因變異會較易誘發抑鬱症及反社會 型人格障礙。不過，後天的社會環境如適當的家庭及學校教 育，會有助建立保護牆，加強抗逆能力。聯合實驗室的成立 便是探討生物因素及與社會互動對人類認知、行為、思想的 影響，特別是在華人社會。」 梁教授表示，中大與中科院心理研究所的合作交流歷史匪 淺，早於 張妙清 教授出掌心理學系年間已打下牢固根基。 「國家近年投入大量資源於科研項目，中科院心理研究所發 展更是突飛猛進，不但有一支逾一百五十人的研究團隊，研究 對象更是數量龐大。中大教研人員專研課題多元化，且有海外 科研單位聯繫網絡，兩者合作定會產生更大的協同效應。」 他說：「聯合實驗室已定下三個主要研究重點，分別是讀寫能 力及語言習得、青少年精神健康及長者認知與情緒。相關研 究已經開展，我們亦會交換學生，讓他們汲取實況經驗。」 梁永亮教授 ‘R esearch increasingly suggests that apart from one’s growing and living environments, human behaviour and psychology are also influenced by biological factors such as DNA and the infections of one’s mother during pregnancy,’ said Prof. Leung Wing-leung Patrick , c hairman of CUHK’s Department of Psychology and director of the joint laboratory. ‘For instance, research has proven that one is more predisposed to depression and antisocial personality disorder triggered by genetic variations. However, the influences of one’s acquired social environment, such as the right parental and school education, can help build a protective buffer and strengthen resilience. The joint laboratory has been established to explore the impact of biological factors and social interactions on human cognition, behaviour and thoughts, especially in Chinese societies.’ According to Professor Leung, the history of CUHK-CAS collaborations and exchanges dates back to the times when Prof. Fanny M.C. Cheung was chairperson of the Department of Psychology. The recent inauguration of the joint laboratory has taken the collaboration to a new level. ‘China has invested massive resources in scientific research over the years. Correspondingly, CAS’s Institute of Psychology has seen very rapid developments. Not only does it have a 150-strong research team, the number of the research target groups it deals with is extremely large. At CUHK, our teaching and research staff engage in the study of diverse topics and are in contact with a network of research units abroad. This collaborative effort will certainly generate a greater synergy.’ Professor Leung said, ‘The joint laboratory has designated three major areas of research: reading and writing abilities and language acquisition; the mental health of the teens; and the cognition and emotions of senior citizens. Individual projects have commenced. We will also exchange students to equip them with practical experience.’ Prof. Leung Wing-leung Patrick Two collaborations herald a new direction for the region’s social science research. In partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), CUHK established the CUHK- Institute of Psychology (IP) CAS Joint Laboratory on Biosocial Psychology last December. At about the same time, it also partnered with the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) to set up the CUHK–NCKU Joint Research Centre for Positive Social Science. Photo by ISO staff