Amelia's 450 Park Avenue South New York
NY 10016 United States
Overview
Dr. Liza G. Steele explores what our instincts say before our politics do.
Why does immigration trigger such intense reactions in America — empathy for some, fear for others?
In this fast-paced Brains Over Brew lecture, sociologist Dr. Liza G. Steele taps into the psychology behind one of the most emotionally charged issues in American life. Instead of focusing on policy or politics, she reveals the hidden forces — evolutionary instincts, group identity, media cues, and local culture — that shape how Americans react to newcomers long before they ever think about laws or data.
You’ll explore:
The neuroscience of threat perception and why “outsiders” can feel dangerous
Why some Americans feel hope around immigration while others feel loss
How class, place, and identity shape emotional reactions
Why small towns and big cities experience immigration so differently
Why debates almost never change minds — but stories do
This Brains Over Brew session taps into a surprising truth: immigration disagreements aren’t just political… they’re psychological.
You’ll leave with a deeper, more human understanding of fear, belonging, empathy, and the hidden forces shaping modern America.